Families rescued after fire breaks out at flats

The fire broke out at Aquila Drive in Sherford on Thursday evening

Twenty eight people were rescued while a further two evacuated themselves after fire broke out at a block of flats.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said families could not leave their homes due to thick smoke in the communal building at Aquila Drive at Sherford, Devon early on Friday.

The service said the fire was confined to the stairwell but other parts of the building suffered smoke damage.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Temporary accommodation

Fire crews were called at 2:20 BST on Friday. All those rescued were assessed by ambulance crews for the effects of smoke inhalation, with some given treatment, the service added.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service group commander Simon Carey said the "severe fire" was in the central staircase.

"We've carried out 28 rescues from the building using ladders and the aerial ladder platform," he said.

"The crew did a very, very good job at getting people out."

Nicola Carr, regional housing lead at Clarion Housing Group, said it was arranging temporary accommodation for displaced residents.

"We understand how distressing events this morning have been for our residents and our frontline teams are on site speaking directly with households and providing support," Ms Carr said.

"We are arranging temporary accommodation for those displaced and offering immediate assistance, including vouchers for essentials, to help residents while they are unable to return home.

"In the meantime, we continue to work closely with all partners to keep the building safe and to support the wellbeing of our residents."