More than 100 pensioners are evacuated as inferno tears through retirement flats
- Fire ripped through the Beechmere retirement complex in Rolls Avenue, Crewe
- Firefighters worked through the night to contain it with 16 crews attending
- People living in nearby homes were also asked to leave due to fire and smoke
Nearly 150 residents at a retirement complex have been evacuated from their homes after the building was ravaged by fire.
The blaze is believed to have started just before 4.30pm yesterday at the Beechmere complex in Rolls Avenue, Crewe.
Firefighters from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service battled through the night to stop the blaze from spreading further with 16 fire crews and two aerial platforms attending the scene.
More than 100 pensioners have been evacuated from a block of retirement flats as a blazing fire tore through their homes
Neighbours and care workers rushed into the home to help evacuate the residents as flames were ripping through the building.
Witnesses said it looked as if the fire had started on one of the upper levels of the building.
Police were called to assist with the inferno and said that a number of the residents were relocated to crisis accommodation while others were taken to an emergency rest centre.
Firefighters worked throughout the night to contain the blaze that started at the Beechmere complex in Rolls Avenue, Crewe
People living in nearby homes were also asked to leave due to the spreading flames and smoke.
Whilst the blaze is now under control, the building has sustained ‘significant damage and has partially collapsed’.
The complex has been left completely gutted by the inferno with only pieces of the very outer shell still standing.
Neighbours and care workers rushed into the home to help evacuate the residents as flames were ripping through the building
Witnesses at the time said it looked as if the fire had started on one of the upper levels of the building
The complex has been left completely gutted by the inferno with only pieces of the very outer shell still standing
Residents were not able to get to their homes on their return from work due to road closures set up around the area.
Many of these road closures remain in place.
Those living near the cordon are still being urged to keep their windows and doors closed.
Concerned relatives of residents who were living at the complex are being advised to contact Cheshire Police
Collection points have been set up around the area for anyone who wants to donate items to the residents affected
People living in nearby homes were initially asked to leave due to the spreading flames and smoke and are still being urged to keep their windows closed
Collection points have been set up around Crewe for anyone who wants to donate items to the residents affected.
Concerned relatives of residents who were living at the complex are being advised to contact Cheshire Police.
The Beechmere retirement complex comprised of 132 one and two bed apartments and was officially opened in 2010, according to its website.
The Beechmere retirement complex comprised of 132 one and two bed apartments and was officially opened in 2010, according to its website