Two people were rescued from their homes after a sizeable blaze broke out in Stevenage Old Town on Friday night, it has emerged.
Herts Fire and Rescue Service has today confirmed the fire which destroyed a shed in Middle Row about 8.30pm is not being treated as suspicious.
A spokesman for the fire service said the blaze is being treated as “accidental”, but confirmed that two people living in nearby flats had to be rescued by crews because the smoke was threatening to engulf their homes.
Flames took hold at one of the busiest times for nightlife in the Old Town, with pictures and posts about it spreading across social media like wildfire.
Jackie Tyler posted on the Comet’s Facebook page: “The fire service did an amazing job. One minute it was blazing away with high flames licking the adjacent building but as soon as they got to work it was under control. Pleased for public safety.”
Crews from Stevenage and Baldock & Letchworth attended, and reported the outbuilding was “well alight”, but they quickly brought it under control.
Roads were closed in the area temporarily and cordons were in place.
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