Fire crews ‘scaling back’ Peterborough operation

Flames from the ruptured gas main were up to 40 feet high according to residents. Picture: Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue

The incident saw more than 80 residents evacuated from their homes in Bretton to the nearby Cresset Theatre as a major operation was put in place to tackle the fire.

WATCH: Fire service group commander Danny Kelly’s video update

A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue service spokesman said at just before 10am this morning (August 16): “Crews have scaled back at the incident in Bretton. Two fire engines and a water carrier are still there. The cordon is now 50m. Evacuated residents are advised to remain at The Cresset. Gas engineers are working to make the low pressure system safe in the next hour.

Residents evacuated to The Cresset. Pictures: David Lowndes.

“A fire is still burning and crews and partners are working hard to deal with the incident and get local residents home as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Group commander Danny Kelly said in a video post: “Our crews initially responded at just after midnight to a fire in the open, when they arrived they were faced with a severe fire in a gas instillation to the rear of some properties.

“We immediately made for additional resources and the crews here have done a fantastic job with protecting all the properties around the gas main.

“We are now in a situation where we have started to pull back our resources but also deal with the gas leak.

“We still have a fire burning.”

“This is an extremely delicate situation, which has to be taken step-by-step to be safe which is really important for the community and for the crews and responders on the scene today,

“We are working as quickly as possible, as soon as we get an update I’m very conscious there are lots of people who want to ask questions about when they can return to their homes.

“As soon as the area is safe and I can get you an update we will get you back to your homes.”

Crews were called to the blaze on Hyholmes, North Bretton at 12.31am this morning (Sunday, August 16),

Crews from Dogsthorpe, Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, Stanground, Thorney, Huntingdon, Gamlingay, Yaxley and Chatteris attended.

They were joined by specialist units, including the incident command unit and two water carriers, one from Ramsey and one from Holbeach sent by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Crews arrived to find a substantial fire in a building affecting a gas mains supply and rapidly set up hose reels to prevent the fire spreading to nearby property.

Gas main fire at Hyholmes, Bretton EMN-200816-091241009

A 120 metre cordon was placed around the scene and residents were evacuated from their homes in Hyholmes and Dunsberry.