Homes damaged in ‘inferno’

Residents were today forced to abandon their homes after a blaze spread through a row of terraces in Telford.

One home was severely damaged and its roof collapsed.The fire broke out in Crescent Road, Hadley, at about 3.20am. The roofs of two neighbouring homes were also damaged.

The occupier of the worst hit property, his elderly woman neighbour and a man and his son and daughter were forced to leave their homes. Properties were this morning cordoned off.

Fire crews from Wellington, Telford Central and Tweedale fire stations were called to the fire and appliances from Hodnet and Newport were sent later to check the properties over.

Mohammed Arshad, who runs nearby Hadley Stores, said of the man forced to flee his property: “He told me when he heard the fire alarm and he saw the fire he came out,” he said. “He knocked my door across the road. When I came out I called the fire brigade. He was very scared.” Mr Arshad, who is a relative of the landlord, said he could see flames coming out of the roof. He said it did not matter about the damage to the house as long as people were okay.

Hadley Stores, which is next to the affected homes, was also closed this morning because of problems caused by the electrical supply.

Neighbour Jag Mattu described the fire as being “like an inferno”.