Buildings destroyed in blaze

A building site in Telford became an inferno today when timber-framed homes under construction went up in flames. Read the full story and see video footage here.

Residents woken from their beds in the early hours said the heat was so intense they could get nowhere near the site in Cedar Close, Overdale, Ketley.

Sally Stevens, who was visiting her sister, captured our video footage on her mobile phone.

Mrs Stevens, from Kent, said she woke up at 5.15am and thought she could hear the sound of rain.

She looked out of the window to see the flames.

"It was a small fire when I went to get my phone, but when I got back it was much higher.

"The flames were shooting right up.

"The fire brigade were there in about ten to fifteen minutes,"

Flames were leaping above the roofs of neighbouring homes while firefighters used an aerial platform to tackle the blaze.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated although residents say the Orchid Homes site has been plagued by trespassers.

The alarm was raised by Derek and Frances Evans, who live nearby.

Mrs Evans, 52, said: "I was woken at 4am by voices on the estate and then I heard a loud crackling noise at 5am. I looked out of the window, saw the homes were on fire and dialled 999."

Mr Evans, 55, said: "I went outside and saw the first house was in flames and then suddenly there was a huge 'whoosh' and everything went up completely.

"You couldn't get within 40 yards of the site because the heat was so fierce."

The site comprised of two blocks of timber-framed structures, each with three small starter homes.

"Of the six homes, two were destroyed. The timber-framed constructions, with plenty of air surrounding it, would have caught fire very quickly," fire investigation officer Jim Quinn said.