Neighbours have spoken of their shock after a fire "ripped through the roof" of a house, leaving the property "completely destroyed". Neighbours living in a cul-de-sac on Harwood Close, Arnold, said they 'have never seen anything like it' and sent their best wishes to the people affected.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a fire shortly after 4pm on Monday, October 31. A spokesperson confirmed that a 20-metre by 10-metre property was on fire, across two floors.
The fire had spread to a neighbouring semi-detached property, the emergency service said. Crews from the Arnold, Carlton, Stockhill and London Road fire stations attended, including London Road's aerial ladder platform.
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In an update on Tuesday (November 1), the fire service said: "The fire is not being treated as suspicious and believed to be an accidental cause. We will be in the area over the coming days providing reassurance to local people and offering fire safety checks to residents."
Neighbours said the fire had come as a "shock for everybody". Dawn Guthrie, who lives on Harwood Close, said: "It is absolutely devastating. It happened just before Christmas as well.
"It is upsetting because you do not know if something like that could happen to your home - you never know." The 54-year-old said she has noticed it when a fire engine came down the road, adding: "The blaze ripped through the roof. It was a massive fire. It was a shock for everybody. Hopefully the firefighters will check our systems as well because it is concerning."
She added: "The firefighters had to use the water pump on the top of the road because that is the nearest one. The house that was on fire was at the other end, that makes me a bit concerned."
A number of residents, including Mrs Guthrie, said that this was the second "big fire that happened on this street in the last couple of years". The roof of a separate house was previously destroyed after a fire ripped through the property during thunder and lightning storms in Nottinghamshire, in 2019.
Retired Charlie Teer, 69, said: "It is like a tinder box. It makes you think twice before buying a house here. The firefighters will investigate to see what is what, but it is concerning. I have seen the fire when it first started, and it just ripped through the roof and extended within 20 seconds.
"I could not believe how quickly it went up. I feel very sorry for the family, obviously it is just before Christmas. It is shocking."
Retired Terry Thomas, a 70-year-old neighbour living on the same street, added: "I do not have any concerns myself, because all my electrics are fine and checked. I was out of home, so I did not see it, but obviously it is very upsetting for the family - it is not very nice."
Wendy Reynolds, 72, added: "It is very tragic, and I do feel for the family. I do not know them at all, we have only been in the area for a couple of years. It is very concerning how quickly it can happen. Like everybody, I am very concerned. I hope the family are okay.
"I think it is concerning that the nearest water pump is at the top of the road. What do you do when there is a fire at the other end of the road, like in this case? Obviously it can take longer."
She added: "We have not been here for long, but we have been welcomed by the community. There is a strong community spirit and I am sure everyone will be willing to help the family."
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