Residents of a close-knit community in Sneinton have been left scared and shocked after a terraced house was engulfed in flames on Saturday morning (March 26). The fire service has confirmed two people - a man and a woman - died at the scene.
Firefighters from London Road, Carlton, West Bridgford, Arnold and Stapleford were dispatched to Whittier Road just before 12.45am where they fought to tackle a serious house fire until the early hours. A number of properties had to be evacuated while the emergency services dealt with the incident and the fire was eventually extinguished around 2.35am.
Residents said fire engines had initially struggled to access the street, with cars parked either side of the road, and Nottinghamshire Police officers remained at the scene as of 11am on Saturday afternoon. One end of the street is cordoned off.
Read more: Sneinton street cordoned off after house fire - recap
A number of homeowners said they were awoken to the sounds of a "commotion" before seeing flames bursting from the window of a property. Caroline Greaves, who lives in Whittier Road, described the street as "lovely and diverse" with a rich, community feel.
The news of the tragedy, therefore, came as a shock to many who lived there. "It is just so, so sad," she told Nottinghamshire Live. "I slept through it. My landlord just called me. I did not know the people up that end of the street but I know everyone on my end. I do not know why it started but any loss of life is devastating.
"It's lovely here. It is closed off each end so not many people come down here unless they need to, like delivery drivers or visitors. It's only 20 minutes from the city centre. My neighbour recently moved in. The house was sold in a week. It is so sad."
Becca Whitehead, 29, echoed similar feelings. "It is just so close to home," she said. "It is very sad and my condolences to the family. It is scary. It could have spread because those houses are conjoined."
Amber Ward said she had heard two people had died earlier in the morning. A cordon remains around a set of terraced houses and a tent has been erected while an investigation takes place.
"I got told two people died," she said. "My dad said there were flames coming from the roof. He came out about 1am and saw the house up in flames."
And Lisa Thomas, who has lived in Whittier Road for 8 years, just a few doors down from the cordon, added: "It is frightening and really upsetting. "I heard a lot of commotion and looked out my door and the house was engulfed in flames.
"I think [the emergency services] were here until about 4am. "It's very sad."
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene, along with the police, while an investigation into the cause of the fire takes place. The property is visibly fire damaged.
It said in a statement: "Last night emergency services were called to a house fire in Whittier Road, Sneinton, at 12.43am.
"Sadly a man and a woman were pronounced dead at the scene. A joint fire and police investigation is taking place today to establish the cause of the fire.
"Crews from London Road Fire Station will be in the immediate Whittier Road area this afternoon to offer reassurance to residents. They will be on hand to give fire safety advice, arrange free Safe and Well Visits and fit smoke alarms."
