Large fire breaks out at tower block in Surrey town centre
Tap above to watch video report from Simon Harris
Firefighters are tackling a large fire which has broken out at a tower block in a Surrey town centre.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said they received reports of the fire, located at a former multi-storey car park on Elmsleigh Road in Staines-upon-Thames, at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.
In an update on X, formerly Twitter, the fire service said the blaze was “now under control and all people are accounted for”.
The fire service are continuing to urge people to avoid the area where possible and are asking residents to keep their windows closed.
Footage of the fire on X shows a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky.
Video from Logan Clarke
The fire service wrote on X: “We received a call this afternoon around 12.30pm to a report of a fire at the former Tothill Car Park, Elmsleigh Road, Staines-upon-Thames.
“Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire. Please can you avoid the area if possible and we ask residents to keep their windows shut.”
In an update posted at around 2pm, they added: “This fire is now under control and all people are accounted for.
“Please stay away from the area for some more time, if possible, whilst we continue our work here.
“Thanks to staff and partners who have supported at this incident.”
In a statement Fairview New Homes said: "Around midday today we were notified by our construction team that there was a fire on the roof of one of the blocks at the Staines construction site which resulted from welding works being undertaken on the roof, the fire has now been extinguished.
"The Fire Brigade was immediately notified and the whole construction site was evacuated in line with standard procedure, one operative was taken to hospital as a precaution. The building which is currently under construction was not occupied.
"We would like to thank the Fire Brigade for their swift and effective action as well as apologise to the residents and businesses of Staines for any concern or inconvenience caused."
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