Firefighters tackle blaze at Blackdown Hall, Leamington

Around 50 firefighters have been tackling a blaze at an apartment complex in Leamington.



It is understood the fire at Blackdown Hall, Leamington, started on the first floor before spreading to the roof.

Crews were initially called to the former Edwardian home, which has been converted into flats, shortly before 13:45 GMT.

One firefighter was taken to hospital as a precaution after being hit by a falling roof slate.

A rest centre was set up at North Leamington School to support residents who had been evacuated.

Warwickshire's deputy chief fire officer Gary Philips said the fire had spread rapidly.

Blackdown Hall fire in Leamington 'still smouldering'



A fire at an Edwardian apartment block in Leamington is "still smouldering" after 23 hours, firefighters have said.

The blaze at Blackdown Hall started on the first floor of one of the flats at around 13:45 GMT on Wednesday before spreading to the roof.

Twenty firefighters are still working to dampen down flames.

No residents were injured although one firefighter was taken to hospital after being hit by a falling roof slate.
'Spread significantly'

The fire service said the officer had been discharged from hospital with minor injuries.

Residents spent the night in a rest centre set up at North Leamington School.

The fire service said the flat were the fire started had been "severely damaged" and 50 officers were used to tackle the blaze at its height.

Resident Dan Moyser said: "When the fire started it was very small. Then it engulfed the whole house."

Gary Philips, deputy chief fire officer at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire had spread through the roof space.

He said it could have been contained, had sprinklers been fitted in the building.

"Most of the building has been affected," he said. "The building was converted to flats which creates hidden roof voids and the fire had spread significantly.

"There has been damage to most of the flats and we have had to cut away most of the woodwork. It's distressing for residents and I do feel for people who have invested in the property and now won't be able to live there for some time.

"Had the developer fitted sprinklers in those premises when those flats were converted we would now not be having this conversation and families would not have been displaced."

He said crews would continue to work at the scene until the fire was "completely extinguished".

"If we were to leave the scene early and the fire reignited we could have a catastrophe on our hands," he said.

He said it was so far unclear what had caused the fire.