Six people have been treated for burns and/or smoke inhalation following a fire at a block of flats in Barton Hill this morning (October 20). At around 6.08am, emergency services were called to the blaze on the first floor of Eccleston House on Aiken Street.
Multiple fire crews were called to the scene of the blaze - which spread to the outside of the building - as well as the ambulance service, police and Bristol City Council colleagues. Occupants were evacuated and a number of roads were closed.
All persons have been accounted for, however, six casualties have been affected by the incident with burns and/or smoke inhalation. Three have been conveyed to hospital and three have been treated at the scene by ambulance.
READ MORE: Fire at Eccleston House in Barton Hill extinguished after residents evacuated
Dave Hodges, Avon Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager said: "Our Control Team received several calls just after 6am this morning to reports of a fire at Eccleston House, on Aiken Street in Bristol. On arrival crews were faced with a fire on the first floor of the building which had spread to scaffolding on the outside of the building. We deployed crews wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the fire and assist residents.
"The decision was taken to evacuate the residents from the building, while crews carried out a full search of the building and to account for all persons. The fire has now been extinguished and fire crews remain in attendance to make the scene safe. We are working with our partner agencies to support the local community during this time."
According to a statement on the Avon Fire and Rescue Service website, a rest centre has been established since the early hours at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, as well as a community-led one at the Tawfiq Masjid and Centre. Both sites are providing welfare support for around 40 people in total.
Council-led teams are working to help residents with food, clothing, access to medicines and other welfare and care needs. It is likely that some residents will be housed in temporary accommodation this evening.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said "I would like to thank everyone in the community who responded so swiftly to help out this morning. This includes the brave efforts of our emergency services as well as council officers who provided front line support.
"In particular, I would also like to personally thank the local mosque and church who have helped us out generously during and after the evacuation. Many people will feel affected by recent events, including the fire at nearby Twinnell House, and I would encourage residents to seek support from the council’s housing and welfare teams who will continue checking in on everyone in the coming hours and days.
"It is completely understandable that high-rise residents across the city may feel upset and worried. We will be doing all we can to support them and will also be reminding all high-rise tenants in our city of the fire safety advice specific to their blocks.”
Emergency services and housing officers remain at the scene. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and a full investigation into the fire is being carried out.
Keep up to date with the incident here.
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