A devastating fire destroyed two family homes as neighbours fled for their lives after a ‘massive explosion’ which shook houses and showered them in burning debris.
The fire broke out in Lancelott Court, off Three Springs Road in Pershore, around 4.30pm on Thursday, engulfing two neighbouring family homes.
A ‘bang’ which preceded the inferno was so loud one resident thought a car had crashed into her house, scooping up her two cats as she got to safety while the flames spread through gardens towards homes.
Meanwhile, one of the residents of a Platform Housing property, destroyed in the blaze, described it as being ‘like 911’ with ash falling ‘like it was snowing’ but added: “Nobody is dead, are they?”
The blaze, which sent up a thick black plume of smoke, was one of a series of fires which raged across the region on the hottest day of the year so far following the summer’s fifth heatwave.
Ambulance crews treated six patients at Pershore alone, all of whom were discharged at the scene as fire crews worked in ‘arduous conditions’ to control the blaze on the day of an amber heat health alert.
Residents fled with pets after fire
Residents were forced to flee their homes, some carrying pets, as thick smoke and flames engulfed the area and debris, ash and soot rained down, igniting further fires including the one that destroyed the two homes.
DESTROYED: The two houses destroyed b the fire at Lancelott Court in Pershore (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Alan Hitchman, 77, who lives nearby, said the fire came within 10 feet of his property before it “just stopped”.
He added: “We were so lucky. If it had got to that tree (near his back garden), it would have all gone up in flames. We were sat here having a cup of tea.
“There was a massive bang. The fire came along there at a rapid rate of knots. Everything was burning.”
READ MORE: Pershore house fire destroys 2 family homes as people flee
Ann Parker-Dowling had to leave her home to stay with a friend and returned to find her cat, Ruby, had been hiding under the sofa while all the drama unfolded outside.
PRESENCE: A police officer at the scene of the fire at Lancelott Court off Three Springs Road in Pershore on Friday (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
“It could have been worse. You could not fault the firefighters. They have been brilliant. It was the hottest day yesterday, and they did their job well.”
The fire gutted two homes, destroyed garden fences and sheds, and forced the evacuation of around 30 properties.
Pershore Leisure Centre used after evacuation
A rest centre was set up at Pershore Leisure Centre, where about 20 people took shelter, according to Eleanor Bunn, duty manager.
John and Jane Marshall have lived at their property for the last 36 years.
Mr Marshall said: “We have just lost the shed and six fence panels.”
READ MORE: Pershore fire first moments captured on Ring Doorbell
He said chairs and drinks were brought for them as they waited on the pavement for four hours as firefighters tackled the blaze.
CLOSE: The fire came close to this man’s home in Lancelott Court in Pershore and beyond his fence firefighters checked for hotspots (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
“I feel lucky, but we feel sorry for the people over the road,” he said.
The fire in Pershore was just one of several across the region, including the largest in Stourbridge where at 19 houses have been destroyed.
Fire crews responded to ‘thousands of 999 calls’ as firefighters responded on what was for many the hottest day of the year.
READ MORE: Wildfires statement by ambulance bosses after Pershore blaze
Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Stourbridge on Friday to see for himself the impact of the fire.
Other fires raged in Lower Howsell, Malvern, near the railway tracks between Worcester and Malvern Link and in Salford Priors at 3.04pm. Four ambulances and three incident commanders attended the scene, where seven patients were assessed by ambulance staff.
Milly Yeates, 24, described the terrifying moment the fire in Lancelott Court in Pershore began, the blaze captured on Ring Doorbell footage.
FIERCE: The fire takes hold at Lancelott Court in Pershore (Image: Supolied)
Ms Yeates said: “I had just come home and I felt as if somebody had crashed into our house.
“There had been a massive explosion and lots of smoke and embers and ash and soot were coming down.
“There was chaos here. We have gas mains here, so we knew we had to go. I went back into my house to get my pets. They’re two indoor cats, Bean and Bear.
“That’s all I really wanted to take from the house. I saw the garden over there go up in flames.
“I rang the fire brigade. It’s awful they (the people whose houses have been destroyed by the fire) haven’t got anything to come back to.”
Unconfirmed reports from residents are that the ‘massive explosion’ which triggered the fire started in Rail Ground and involved welding equipment.
RESPONSE: Station commander Alex Hustwayte at the scene of the fire in Lancelott Court in Pershore (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
However, Station Commander at Hereford, Alex Hustwayte, on the scene said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Mr Hustwayte said: “We haven’t established the exact cause. We have fire investigation officers who will be attending the scene today.
“They will have a clearer picture once they have attended.”
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before debris began falling and a shed caught fire, which then spread to the homes.
Doorbell camera footage captured the first moments of the blaze, showing flames and thick smoke rising above the houses as ash and cinders fell from the sky.
Firefighters were still on the scene the following day, checking for hotspots and ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.
Crews battled the blaze in extremely hot conditions, with temperatures in Pershore reaching 38C on the day of the fire.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Michaela Phillips, her partner, and their three teenage children, who lost everything in the fire.
More than £8,600 has been raised so far.