Mansfield residents react to serious property fire

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police were called to the scene of the fire, on Ruddington Road, Bellamy Estate, at around 9am this morning (November 30).

Nobody was injured in the fire however the property was torn through, causing fire and smoke damage and the death of the resident's pet dog.

Residents were being asked to avoid the area at the time and the fire caused traffic delays around St Peters Church of England Primary School.

Nearby residents described their shock as the fire burnt through the property.

Becky Downing, aged 21, of Bodmin Court, said: "At first I saw the smoke and I thought it was my parent's house because they live on the same street.

"Apparently it was a boiler explosion though I'm not sure, and I'm concerned because we all have the same boilers in our houses.

"The first thing I did was get my cat out of my house and make sure she is safe."

Jenny Marshall, aged 29, of Tedburn Drive, added: "I saw smoke from my window but at first because of how foggy it has been recently I didn't think it was a fire.

"I didn't hear a bang or an explosion so at first it didn't concern be but when I came outside I heard the fire engines and then saw how big the fire was.

"It's not nice with it being the run up to Christmas and how close it is, I just hope the lady hasn't lost too much."

Dog walker Stewart Daws, of Redruth Drive, said: "I was walking the dog and I saw the fire, it had absolutely ripped through the house.

"Without the fire service going into the house the door had been completely taken out and the bathroom was destroyed.

"I know the lady and I hope she is okay."

A Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "‘Firefighters from Hucknall, Arnold, Edwinstowe, Warsop, Worksop and Stapleford were called at 09:08am to a house fire on Ruddington Road in Mansfield.

"Crews used four breathing apparatus, two jets and two hose reels to extinguish the fire, which caused damage to the property.

"The fire is now out and crews are expected to remain on scene for some time while a fire investigation into the cause of the fire takes place."