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Family forced to flee Sutton Hill home by 15ft flames
Wednesday 18th August 2010, 10:29AM BST.
A woman and her two children were forced to flee their Shropshire home by a fierce blaze in which 15 feet high flames destroyed a camper van and spread to a nearby house.
Neighbours were woken by the sound of banging as the fire took hold in Sutton Hill.
The family in the property in Southgate were forced to leave home after the fire broke out about 5.45am.
A crew was initially sent but a second crew was requested amid fears the fire had spread to the roof space of a two-storey semi-detached property.
The fire is being treated as of “doubtful origin”.
Chris White, watch manager, said: “The camper van was fully involved in fire. I know the neighbours were woken by bangs. The flames were probably 15 foot high.
“There were three people in the house, a woman and two older children. The camper van was adjacent to their house.
“The fire had actually caused damage to the external cladding by the side of the roof space.”
Firefighters also checked inside the roof to ensure the fire had not taken hold.
Mr White expressed concerns about the number of fires in the Sutton Hill area involving rubbish, discarded items and vehicles.
He said: “The incident is a continuation of fire setting activity. The fire service is becoming concerned that fires ignited externally could spread to a domestic property, putting lives at risk.
“Residents are being urged by the fire service to ensure they have working smoke detectors and report anyone deliberately starting fires or behaving suspiciously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
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