Eighty residents moved to Cresset while firefighters tackle Peterborough blaze

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said they were called to a large blaze at Hyholmes, North Bretton, at 12.31am on Sunday (August 16).

Crews discovered a substantial fire in a building which was affecting a gas mains supply.

Fire service Group Commander Danny Kelly said the large incident involved a ruptured gas main: “Fire crews were called earlier this morning to what they believed was a small fire in a garden. When the crews arrived they discovered quite a large gas main on fire, currently on the scene we have four fire engines and two water carriers standing by, we also have police, ambulance, gas and electric [teams] on site as well. We are working together to try and reduce and stop the gas from leaking which is currently on fire.

“We have evacuated 80 people from the surrounding area and we have a 100m cordon in place.

“We have a tactical command group set up at our headquarters and we are working with all our partner agencies to resolve this incident as quickly as possible.

“I would ask that people keep clear from the general area. There’s a lot going on for us right now but we can reassre you that we are doing everything we can to resolve the incident as quickly as possible.”

Group commander Kelly said gas supplies were being turned off and firefighters have set up hose reels to prevent the fire spreading to nearby property, while a 100 metre cordon is in place.

CFRS said those who had been evacuated had been moved to the nearby Cresset theatre while crews work to bring the fire under control.