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Devastating aftermath of huge fire that left Accrington homes and gardens ‘like plane crash site’
From the front, a small row of terraced houses in Accrington looks unassuming today (June 15).
But behind the properties lies a scene of devastation akin to the aftermath of a plane crash. Just 24 hours ago a huge fire tore through the garage at the back of one of the homes which, due to strong winds and scorching sun, spread rapidly across several properties.
More than 15 homes in East Crescent were evacuated after the fire started at around 12.45pm yesterday (Wednesday June 14) with eight fire crews in attendance at the height of the blaze along with drones flying above assessing the scene. Residents watched on in horror as the thick black smoke spread through the estate and the flames were fanned towards their homes by the wind.
READ MORE: 15 homes evacuated and smoke seen for miles after two fires break out in Accrington
The worst-affected home stands next-door to where the fire started in a garage. Although an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing residents told LancsLive that firefighters at the scene suspected it could have been started by the heat and strong sun as temperatures in East Lancashire reached 30C.
Khalid Afznal, who lives on the other side of the home where the fire started, wasn’t at home with his children at the time of the fire and returned to a scene of destruction. “It’s like a plane has crashed,” he agreed.
“We weren’t allowed back in our house until about 5pm. There’s a smell of smoke and thankfully all that’s been damaged of ours was in the garden. We’re the lucky ones.”
The property on the other side of the fire has been left uninhabitable with doors and windows boarded up. One house along residents sat in the on their fire-damaged decking no doubt relieved that the blaze didn’t spread any further.
“We’re just thankful that nobody was hurt,” said Mr Afznal, who has lived in his home in East Crescent for two years. “Everyone got out and was ok.”
By 4pm the number of fire crews at the scene was reduced from eight to four and firefighters left East Crescent at around 6pm. The clean-up operation will undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time with the rear gardens of most houses on the row left devastated by the fire.
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