Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A retirement complex that has been devastated in a huge fire did not have sprinklers fitted, the fire service has confirmed.

Image source, Cheshire Fire Service

Dozens of fire crews from across three counties were called in to fight the blaze at the Beechmere supported living complex in Crewe which started yesterday afternoon.

Today, Cheshire Fire Service said the fire spread quickly "at an unusual pace" and confirmed the lack of sprinklers in the building.

Avantage Cheshire Limited, which runs the complex, which was only 10 years old, has been approached for a response.

Regulations in England mean that only buildings built since 2007 and which are taller than 30m are required to have sprinklers fitted.

A woman has described how her mother-in-law lost the ashes of both her husband and son in the Beechmere complex blaze.

Tracey Heath said her mother-in-law Julia Heimes had been left with only the clothes she was standing in and a handbag.

Image source, Darren Faloona

She said a wooden urn containing her husband's remains had been lost along with a locket containing her son's ashes.

"It's things like that you can't replace," she said.

"I phoned her this morning and I said to her 'you sound really calm' and then she just broke down, she went 'no I'm not, I don't know where to go, I just don't know what to do'.

"She said 'I'm stood here in just the clothes I've got on with nothing, and a handbag'."

About 150 residents were forced to flee the complex, with some losing irreplaceable belongings.

That's all for our live coverage from the scene of the fire in Crewe.

Further news, sport, travel and weather updates in the region will continue on our BBC Midlands Live page.

We'll of course keep across any major developments in Crewe and bring them to you.

Fire crews are set to be at the site of the blaze across the weekend and are battling to try and make sure forecast high winds don't reignite the flames, Cheshire Fire Service has said.

Image source, Cheshire Fire Service

The Met Office is warning of strong winds across the county tomorrow , externaland assistant chief fire officer Gus O'Rourke said the fire service was looking to bring in digging equipment to get to hot spots.

Otherwise he said the forecast weather could cause "significant problems" if it fanned the flames.

Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A decision to evacuate the retirement complex during the fire rather than have residents stay put "saved a lot of lives", according to a senior fire officer.

Image source, Cheshire Fire Service

The blaze at the Beechmere supported living complex in Crewe spread faster than firefighters expected, Cheshire Fire Service has said this afternoon.

Neighbours, fire crews and police officers helped evacuate 150 residents from about 16:00 yesterday.

Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

Two brothers who helped rescue elderly residents from a residential complex say they "kicked down doors" in order to get people out.

Stefan and Joseph Rogerson said they'd acted before fire crews got to the site.

"In the time that they got here the roof could have collapsed and someone could have been in there," said Joseph.

Beechmere is home to residents with different levels of need spread across 132 apartments.

Some have dementia and physical disabilities, with others needing specialist support.

"We had to swap some residents into proper chairs that we could carry," said Stefan.

"Basically just helping as best as we can."

Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Neighbours and people who helped evacuate residents from the retirement complex showed "real heroics", police have said.

Image source, Cheshire Fire Service

Relatives have told BBC Radio Stoke of knocking down doors to get elderly residents out of the Beechmere supported living site in Crewe as the roof collapsed.

Cheshire Police said they were a "tremendous help" in evacuating 150 residents.

Work's now under way to find care and support for them. Cheshire East Council said it was working with health officials to find them "appropriate accommodation".

The company that runs the Crewe complex destroyed by fire said it had been left "devastated".

Avantage (Cheshire) Limited thanked the fire and rescue services "who have worked tirelessly throughout the night," as well other agencies.

It said its priority was to "ensure that all residents are safe, comfortable and have somewhere to stay" before looking at a longer-term plan.

"The local community have been amazing, and have really come out to support residents who have lost so much with collection points set up for donations.

"It is just incredible."

Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A man's described rescuing people from the fire at the retirement complex as the roof collapsed.

Joey Rogerson said he was among the first people to get to the Beechmere supported living complex in Rolls Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire, yesterday evening.

Fire crews from across Cheshire and Staffordshire were called to fight the blaze and parts of the building have collapsed.

Joey said he and others "knew the dangers" but worked with police officers to rescue elderly residents "as the roof was collapsing".

Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

Driving instructors in Crewe were ferrying donated supplies to help people affected by the fire last night and taking bottles of water to help firefighters.

Image source, Cheshire Fire Service

One of them, Chris Mackay, told BBC Radio Stoke hundreds of residents were turning up last night to help at the local leisure centre as donations poured in.

"There were so many people coming along dropping water and snacks, I believe the local pizza place sent pizza and food for the staff", he added.

A collection bucket to help residents affected the Beechmere fire has been put in the cafe at Crewe Football Club.

Any donations of clothes and other essentials can also be left at the club's Cumberland Arena and will be distributed to residents.

Age UK said donations could be left at all of its shops in Crewe.

A 24-hour helpline has been set up by Cheshire East Council for the family and friends of residents caught up in the fire.

Those concerned can call 0300 123 5025

A man has been explaining how he rescued elderly residents when fire broke out at a retirement complex.

The residential block destroyed by fire is just 10 years old, the daughter of a resident said.

Claire Bagnall said her mum Nora, 85, who had lived in the complex for 12 months "loved" the centre.

"It's just given her such a good social life and she's made some lovely friends, it's just really sad."

"On Monday they celebrated 10 years of Beechmere opening, and they had a big party, and it's just so sad now what's happened."

Den Siegertsz

I've visited one of the collection points in Crewe and people have been coming in with their donations since the fire last night.

Image source, Facebook

It's been set up by the manager of the Rainbow Day Nursery, in Haslington, who posted on social media after they heard about the blaze., external

Since then, people have been dropping off blankets, food parcels and there's been a steady stream of people coming in this morning since I've been here.

The nursery says it'll stay open until 18:00 and then take all the donations to help the complex on Rolls Avenue.

The official response to the fire involves the police, Cheshire East Council and fire service, along with Public Health England and the Environment Agency.

Everything is being done to support residents who had to be moved from the scene, police said.

Mark Palethorpe from Cheshire East Council, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Crewe community for rallying around to support those affected by the terrible fire at Beechmere.

"The community spirit shown has been overwhelming.

“We have seen very many people offering help, donations and other support both at the rest centre at Crewe Lifestyle Centre and, earlier in the evening, at the site itself."

Cheshire's fire chief said getting a call to a fire at a retirement complex or care home is one "everybody dreads".

Mark Cashin, from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said crews had helped evacuate about 150 "frail and elderly" residents.

"A roll call was done and all those residents are safely accounted for."

The Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, Laura Smith, said she would be heading back to her constituency following the "devastating" fire.

A meeting would be held with fire officers later, she said.

She thanked emergency services, care workers, residents and "everyone who has helped".

"My thoughts are with you all," she tweeted. , external

Allen Cook
BBC News

Luxury car maker Bentley Motors has made a £5,000 donation to a fundraising appeal set up to help residents of the retirement complex following the fire.

The firm, which is based in Crewe, has added it is "deeply saddened" to hear about the blaze and "our thoughts are with those affected".