Bideford rallies around after fire rips through three-storey terraced house

Emergency services remain on scene and the community is rallying around after a major fire ripped through a three-storey terraced house in Bideford last night (Tuesday, October 28).

At the height of the blaze in Honestone Street, 15 fire appliances were in attendance and fire crews have been working throughout the night to bring it under control.

Above: Fire fighters with breathing apparatus tackle the fire at Honestone Street in Bideford. Credit: Graham Hobbs

The fire service received numerous calls at around 8.17pm last night as a large cloud of smoke could be seen drifting over the town and flames erupted from the roof of the terraced property.

Around 45 residents had to be evacuated, some with pets. The Royal Hotel at East-the-Water provided 11 rooms for the night to house a mixture of families, couples and individuals who had nowhere else to go at short notice.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service statement said: “Firefighters worked through the night to bring the blaze under control, utilising an aerial ladder platform, a hose reel jet, two 45mill jets, and a safety jet.

“Crews remain on scene today, carrying out dampening down operations to ensure all remaining hot spots are fully extinguished.”

Above: A fire fighter looks on as crews continue to tackle the Tuesday night blaze in a Bideford terraced property. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Below: An eerie view as fire crews continue to pour water onto the roof of the blazing terraced property at Honestone Street in Bideford. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers remained on scene investigating the cause of the fire and a scene guard was in place.

A statement added: “Anybody with information or relevant footage is asked to contact us on 101 or via our website, quoting log 748 of 28 October.”

Torridge district councillor Teresa Tinsley, whose Bideford North ward includes Honestone Street, has been at The Royal Hotel this morning to speak to those evacuated and see how she could help.

She told the Gazette: “There were families with children, some people had dogs and cats. They were really worried and I think it was quite frightening for them last night – one person said it was like fireworks going off.

“Some people did not know when they were able to go back. The council is sending in surveyors to check the buildings but when I went up there it was still too hot for them to check in some areas.

“The Royal Hotel has been really good and has almost been acting as an information centre.

“It’s a historic part of Bideford, very densely packed with people in flats there, it’s affected a lot of people.

“I think the fire service did a good job and stopped it spreading. If the wind had been in the wrong direction it could have spread quite badly.”

Torridge District Council said it had been working closely with the police and fire service to assist approximately 45 residents who had to be evacuated from their homes. 

The council told the Gazette: "After receiving the initial call just after 9pm, officers worked through the night to help accommodate 30 residents who were displaced by the fire. Temporary accommodation was secured in hotels in Bideford and Barnstaple.

"Anyone needing assistance whilst the cordon remains in place, can contact the Torridge District Council Homelessness Team by contacting 01237 428700."

Above: At the height of the Bideford fire, 15 fire appliances from across Devon and Somerset were in attendance. Credit: Graham Hobbs

The Royal Hotel posted a message to the community on its Facebook page today: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by last night’s fire. We are so sorry for what you are going through.