Crewe retirement complex partially collapses in fire

Fire crews were called to the scene at 16:30 BST on Thursday

A blaze at a retirement complex has caused its partial collapse and forced the evacuation of 150 residents.

Crews have been at the Beechmere supported living complex in Crewe since 16:30 BST on Thursday.

Cheshire Fire Service said the fire was now under control and they were damping down, but the flats in Rolls Avenue had sustained "significant damage".

The daughter of one resident said her mother had been left with "only the clothes she was stood up in".

Claire Bagnall told BBC Radio Stoke her mother Nora, 85, had spent the night in temporary accommodation.

"She's just all disorientated," she said.

"I don't think she realises just how serious it is, she seems to think she could go back today, she could just go back in and get her things, but that's not going to be the case."

Residents were also evacuated from houses in nearby Railton Avenue due to the fire and smoke from the blaze.

Ms Bagnall thanked the emergency services and neighbours who had helped.

"They were brilliant, they got everybody out and everybody rehoused," she said.

"People were just donating clothes, food and drink - Crewe really did pull together last night."

Crews from across Staffordshire and Cheshire tackled the blaze

Tracy Heath, whose mother-in-law is a resident, said she had lost irreplaceable belongings including an ornament with some of her husband's ashes inside and a locket containing some of her son's ashes.

"It is things like that, you can't replace."

Lee Alexander James, whose grandmother is a resident, said he went into the complex on Thursday night to get people out.

"Instincts set in, I just decided I needed to get here," he said.

"There were a few other gentlemen around the area who helped out, we all went and just did what we could...opening doors and lifting people out.

"I just did what I would expect someone else to do if it was their family members in there."

Cheshire Fire Service said crews from across the county and Staffordshire were at the scene.

By 13:30 BST on Friday, it said operations had been "scaled back significantly", with four appliances left on site but said it was still too dangerous for firefighters to go inside.

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Assistant Chief Fire Officer Gus O'Rourke said he was "extremely shocked" at how quickly the fire had spread and, once everyone was evacuated, crews had worked to protect neighbouring properties.

He said a "stay put" policy for residents in the complex was quickly abandoned due to the speed with which the fire spread.

He added there will be a investigation into the cause of the fire.

A number of road closures are expected to be in place throughout the day, including at Minshull New Road, Bradfield Road, Parkers Road and Underwood Lane.

Members of the public are being advised to avoid the area.

Neil Griffiths, from Cheshire Fire Service, said when crews got to Beechmere the fire was predominantly on the third floor and more than 70 firefighters had been at the scene overnight.

He said their efforts had been hampered by the weather and "the layout of the site and the access to it".

Mr Griffiths added he expected fire crews to be on the scene well into the weekend.

North West Ambulance Service confirmed two people were taken to hospital.

A spokesperson said one person was suffering chest pains and another an eye injury, but neither was thought to be serious.

Cheshire Police said residents had been placed in temporary accommodation and others taken to an emergency rest centre.

Residents living nearby were advised to keep doors and windows shut

Collection points have been set up around the area for people who want to donate items to help those affected and an online fundraising page has collected more than £10,000 in donations, including £5,000 from Bentley Motors.

Volunteers have been at Crewe Lifestyle Centre, sorting through piles of items like clothes, food and toiletries which have been left for those affected.

Mark Palethorpe, of Cheshire East Council, said: "The community spirit shown has been overwhelming."

Residents who left the scene to stay with family members are being asked to contact the council so staff can check on their welfare and plan future accommodation.

Beechmere comprises 132 one and two-bed apartments and was opened in 2010

Avantage Cheshire Limited, which runs the complex, said it was "devastated" by the fire and relieved everyone on site was safely evacuated.

"We would like to thank the Cheshire Fire and Rescue service who have worked tirelessly throughout the night, and all the partner agencies that are working on a multi-agency response to support residents during this incredibly difficult time," it said.

"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.

"Our team has been onsite throughout the night and again today.

"At this moment our priority is to ensure that all residents are safe, comfortable and have somewhere to stay, then we will start looking at a longer term plan."