Truro fire: 'Suspicious' blaze destroys social homes

Three homes have been destroyed after fire swept through a social housing complex.

Sixty firefighters and six engines spent three hours dealing with the fire in Merrifield Close in Truro, Cornwall.

All six residents - some elderly, some with disabilities - were evacuated unharmed from their bungalows, with neighbours offering them beds. Cornwall Council said no-one was injured

The blaze was being treated as suspicious, police at the scene said.

Cornwall Fire and Recue Service said the alarm was raised after the fire broke out at 00:05 BST.

More on this story and others from Cornwall

Station officer Shaun Taylor said: "No-one was injured which was good for us from a safety point of view and it could have been worse.

"But people have lost their homes, which is always a concern for us."

Three of the six bungalows were destroyed

Amy Bassett, who lives nearby and offered beds in her house to two people, said: "It was scary, I've never seen anything like it."

Hazel Ascombe, who lives in the complex owned by Cornwall Housing, said: "The roofs are off three bungalows.

"Thankfully I've got insurance but there are some people who haven't."

The cause of the fire is being investigated

Among those who helped out was BBC Radio Cornwall's James Churchfield:

Cornwall Council said housing and adult social care staff were supporting affected residents, with "the majority able to return to their homes".