DEVASTATED families were forced to evacuate their homes after a ferocious fire engulfed their back gardens and properties.

Eight fire engines were called to the fire at the back of homes in Worcester Road, Blackburn, on Sunday evening. The plumes of smoke could be seen across town in Pleasington.

Surrounding streets were cordoned off as police and fire fighters aimed to make the area safe. No-one was injured.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it was now undertaking a detailed investigation as to the cause of the fire.

Bosses said it was too soon to comment on the cause of the fire but residents said the flames spread quickly via plastic fencing around the gardens.

Several homes affected are owned by social landlord Together Housing. It said several residents had been put in temporary accommodation.

Members of Lancashire Fire Service and Together Housing were at the scene this morning (April 26) surveying the damage.

The back gardens to seven properties, which overlook a communal square, have been destroyed. The fire had spread to the houses causing extensive damage to the kitchens and bedrooms.

At one corner of the estate the roof has collapsed and a vast amount of smoke damage can be seen in all of the properties. The ferocity of the fire turned a tree to cinder and trampoline melted and a fence separating the homes had melted on to the grass.

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Some residents at the homes were too shocked to talk as they had seen their homes and possessions destroyed.

Mark Jones said his home was saved by a quick-thinking neighbour who came out with a hose pipe and doused a burning fence, “He was a real hero and put out the fire on this side of the fence. If it was not for him then the whole fence would have gone up like the rest.

“I feel so sorry for all the residents affected. You can see the destruction to all those homes.”

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said he saw the fire when only two panels on a back garden plastic fence were alight.

He said: “It spread really fast. Within minutes.

“I am not sure how it started. I have never seen anything like it in my life.”

Mr Jones added: “I got told it spread like it was ‘soaked in petrol’ (the fence). It was that bad.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Damage to a house on the street (LT)

Fire service group manager Caroline Harrison said: “Fire crews were called to reports of a fire at a domestic property on Worcester Road in Blackburn at around 5.20pm on Sunday, 25 April.

"The fire was located at the rear of the property and had spread to involve several neighbouring properties.

“A full investigation into the cause of the fire is underway and we will be continuing to work alongside partners over the coming days to provide support and reassurance for residents in the area.”

Together Housing had staff members on site soon after the fire was reported on Sunday.
Temporary accommodation – including putting some residents up in hotels – was found for everyone who needed it.

Together Housing said it had a large presence in Worcester Road to continue to support our residents and the wider community.

Together Housing said it will continue to work residents to provide support to meet any ongoing housing needs.

Ian Clark – director of strategy, communications and communities said “Keeping our residents safe is Together Housing’s top priority and our thoughts are with our residents affected by the fire at Worcester Road.

"We acted quickly last night to have staff on site to provide support to our residents and the wider community.

"Staff remain on site today and if any resident needs help then please get in touch with us on 0300 555 5560.

“We would ask our residents not to speculate as to the cause of the fire and let the fire service undertake their detailed investigation.”