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| Leicester factory fire forces evacuation of hundreds of homes | Leicester factory fire forces evacuation of hundreds of homes |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A major fire at a former factory next to a petrol station in Leicester has forced the evacuation of more than 200 homes in the city. | |
| Neighbours reported the blaze in Melton Road at about 07:15 BST at the brick building, understood to be a former knitwear factory which has collapsed. | Neighbours reported the blaze in Melton Road at about 07:15 BST at the brick building, understood to be a former knitwear factory which has collapsed. |
| Police have evacuated homes from four streets in the area. | Police have evacuated homes from four streets in the area. |
| The fire caused traffic problems during rush hour and a long stretch of Melton Road remains closed from Troon Way. | The fire caused traffic problems during rush hour and a long stretch of Melton Road remains closed from Troon Way. |
| Hundreds of people have been forced from their homes in Stafford Street, Lancashire Street, St Michaels Avenue and Sandringham Avenue, all off Melton Road. | Hundreds of people have been forced from their homes in Stafford Street, Lancashire Street, St Michaels Avenue and Sandringham Avenue, all off Melton Road. |
| They have been taken to Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre for refreshments until they are allowed to return. | They have been taken to Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre for refreshments until they are allowed to return. |
| Witnesses reported seeing a plume of smoke above the city and the building collapsing. Leicestershire Police said they did not believe anyone had been injured. | Witnesses reported seeing a plume of smoke above the city and the building collapsing. Leicestershire Police said they did not believe anyone had been injured. |
| Others described the sign on the front of old factory as melting and windows cracking. | Others described the sign on the front of old factory as melting and windows cracking. |
| Jaymini Makwana, who lives in the area, said: "I came out of the house and the building was on fire, the flames were going up in the air. With about 10 or 15 minutes, one half of the building collapsed. | Jaymini Makwana, who lives in the area, said: "I came out of the house and the building was on fire, the flames were going up in the air. With about 10 or 15 minutes, one half of the building collapsed. |
| "The heat was mental. Within another 15 minutes, the other half of the building started collapsing. Everyone was in the street shocked and worried which way it was going to fall." | "The heat was mental. Within another 15 minutes, the other half of the building started collapsing. Everyone was in the street shocked and worried which way it was going to fall." |
| BBC Radio Leicester's Helen McCarthy said the fire now appeared to be under control but at one stage the flames leapt several storeys into the air. | BBC Radio Leicester's Helen McCarthy said the fire now appeared to be under control but at one stage the flames leapt several storeys into the air. |
| At its height, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service had 10 engines at the blaze. | At its height, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service had 10 engines at the blaze. |
| Raj Baddhan tweeted: "Waking up to a huge building fire near Woodbridge Rd in Leicester. Avoid the roads nearby. Building has collapsed." | Raj Baddhan tweeted: "Waking up to a huge building fire near Woodbridge Rd in Leicester. Avoid the roads nearby. Building has collapsed." |
| Mehds Thakor was on his way to work way he noticed the building was on fire. | Mehds Thakor was on his way to work way he noticed the building was on fire. |
| "At first there was smoke coming out of the building's windows," he said. "Gradually it got thicker and thicker and then there were flames which shot right up into the air." | "At first there was smoke coming out of the building's windows," he said. "Gradually it got thicker and thicker and then there were flames which shot right up into the air." |