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| Leicester factory fire forces evacuation of hundreds of homes | Leicester factory fire forces evacuation of hundreds of homes |
| (about 1 hour 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. | 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 at the brick building in Melton Road, which houses several businesses and has collapsed, at about 07:15 BST. | |
| Police have evacuated homes in four nearby streets. | |
| 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 until it is deemed safe for them to return. | |
| Witnesses reported seeing a plume of smoke above the city and the building, which was home to several businesses, collapsing. Leicestershire Police said they did not believe anyone had been injured. | |
| Others described the sign on the front of old factory 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. Within 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 when 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." |
| The former factory is now home to several businesses including a clothing company and a fabric printing firm. | |
| Saif Choudhury, whose family owns the building, said he began to well up when he saw it had been destroyed. | |
| "I got a phone call in the morning that the factory had burnt down. I immediately jumped out of bed. I've just come here, I can't even describe the feelings that are going through my body and my mind. | |
| "All I can see is what was such a nice, beautiful building fallen down." | |
| Andy Galway, from the fire service, said it had been a significant incident and a "rapidly developing fire" which was still being tackled but was now under control. | |
| Officers are expected to remain at the site late into the evening. |