A massive fire broke out in Surrey town center, which firefighters have been battling for hours. The fire is burning on top of what is currently a 14-story block; the affected building is still under construction and has yet to be occupied. The cause of the fire is said to be the welding works that were being carried out on the roof. The Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed the presence of eight fire engines at the scene of the fire since 12:35 BST.
Thames Street has been closed between South Street and Church Street because of the unfortunate incident. Though the fire is now under control, firefighters are expected to be on-site for a while longer. Additionally, paramedics assessed four patients for smoke inhalation, one of whom was taken to the hospital for further treatment. Meanwhile, Surrey police officers, along with the fire service, closed down Riverside Gardens, Clarence Street, and Staines bridge. The hazardous area response team of the South East Coast Ambulance is currently at the scene as well.
Farview New Homes owns the building, and according to a spokesperson for the firm, the company notified the fire brigade straight away, and the whole construction site was evacuated. Spelthorne Borough Council has moved residents using the nearby Staines Community Centre to a safer location. Fire departments from London and Berkshire were also dispatched to the area to provide assistance to their Surrey counterparts.
Laura Purkess, a person living nearby, heard a loud bang from inside her house and ran outside, where she saw the building already on fire. She described it as “like a ‘boom’ noise loud enough for me and all my neighbours to run out onto the street, and the roof was very much on fire already.” According to the fire service spokesperson, there was no mention of a cause at this stage
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