Raging inferno destroys flat

Dec 8 2009 By Tamara Hughes

A raging inferno destroyed a man's flat on Tuesday December 8 and caused severe smoke damage to four other homes.

Engines from Staines, Egham, Epsom, Sunbury and Chertsey were called to The Oaks, in Moormede Crescent, just before midday to fight the flames that were coming out of the windows.

During the battle the flat owner appeared on the scene and saw his home gutted.

At the time of going to writing the firefighters Egham and Epsom had left but 16 other firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the last embers, while an aerial ladder platfrom from Chertsey removed roof tiles.

A police spokeswoman said: "There are no reports of injuries. At this stage it is too early to comment on whether the circumstances of the fire are suspicious."

Watch-manager Reynolds of Egham Fire Station was at the scene, he said: "The fire was well developed when we got there at about 12pm. It had blown out the windows and was threatening to set fire to the roof.

"No one was injured but we did rescue a grey and white cat that was trapped inside when we got there, which was unharmed.

"While we were fighting the fire a man turned up who owned the flat and was advised by victim support.

"We also had to break into four other flats above the first floor flat to make sure the fire hadn't spread.

"There was heavy smoke damage to these properties and all of them will have to undergo extensive cleaning before the residents can move back in."

John Vellimga, a resident of Moormede Crescent, said: "I happened to see all these fire engines and I came down to see what was going on. It looked bad, I'm thankful it didn't happen to me."

The police closed Moormede Crescent between the junctions of Aspen Close and Fairfield Avenue, and at the time of going to press the closures remained in place and firefighters still at the scene.