Neighbours living on a ‘nightmare’ estate dominated by gangs and anti-social behaviour have described the ‘frightening’ moment when a fire broke out. “Clouds of smoke” covered houses in Top Valley at around 2pm on Friday (July 1).
One concerned neighbour has described “flames higher than my fence” coming from derelict garages in Crampton Road, off Whitcombe Gardens. The elderly woman said she “ran for my life” when the fire broke out.
She added: “I was shaking all day yesterday, I was sick. I was scared for my life. The flames were going up, I was scared that they would come into my garden. You could have seen them, they were higher than the fence.”
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However, she said it was not the first time a fire broke out in the area. She added: “We had another one last month. It is a nightmare to live here. We feel like no one listens to us. We are surrounded by gangs, people have their windows smashed and some even board up their houses.”
She described the the terrifying moment when she saw the fire. “I phoned the brigade and all the neighbours left their houses. People moved their cars because they could have caused an explosion," she said. "You could not breath. It was so much smoke. I was in tears."
A worried parent said she does not let her children play outside. Sarah Tee, 25, said the recent fire was just a drop in the ocean. The worried mum added: “People have their windows smashed, and you will see many houses being boarded up around here.
“We do not let our children play outside. You just never know what these people are up to.” She was in her living room when she noticed black smoke billowing in the sky. She added: “There were clouds of smoke all across the houses. It just looked like a massive fire. You have to keep yourself to yourself around here. It is so dangerous. I did not realise it was this bad when we moved in.”
A number of houses are boarded up in the area, and a message with strong language is written on one of them. It is not clear who owns the garages on Crampton Road, but neighbours said that no one uses them.
When Nottinghamshire Live visited the garages on Saturday (July 2), domestic and broken objects could be seen from a distance inside. The walls were black and there was a strong smoke smell.
Mum-of-two Nicky Ivan, 37, said: "I came home yesterday at around 4pm, so I did not see it. There is a lot going on at those garages. No one uses them though. It is a dangerous area."
Another resident passing by, who asked not to be named, said: "People who leave board up their home. We cannot let our children play outside. When the fire broke out, everyone left their homes. There is a lot of anti-social behaviour going on around here.
"They are taking over the estate, a dangerous gang. I have lived here for 45 years and it has never been like this - it is hell."
A spokeswoman for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said two fire engines from the Arnold and Stockhill stations were called out to "three detached garages well alight". "[It was] extinguished using two hose reels and two BA [breathing apparatus]," she said. "We received the call at 2.22pm." Details of any potential injuries caused by the fire remain unclear.
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