A raging fire destroyed a Melksham flat ‘just hours after a family moved in’.
More than 25 firefighters battled a major blaze that engulfed a property in Sangster Avenue shortly before 8pm on Saturday evening (18 April).
Fire crews from Trowbridge, Devizes, Bradford on Avon, Chippenham and Bath were in attendance – some only leaving scene 12 hours later.
Wiltshire 999s understands that a young family had moved into the first-floor flat just several hours earlier, having complete a home swap.
A white Luton van could be seen parked outside the building. It’s thought the vehicle had been used to move the family’s possessions from their previous address.
The ground-floor flat also sustained significant damage, making it inhabitable. Two families were left homeless as a result of the inferno.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that their fire crews “found a well-developed fire on the first floor and roof space of the residential building” on arrival.
Adding that firefighters used “main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire”. The service said that one person was given casualty care and in the care of paramedics.
Three fire engines remained on scene overnight to damp down and ensure the flames did not reignite, with the last pumping appliance leaving the incident shortly before 8am.
This morning (Sunday), Wales & West Utilities has numerous teams on site – working to isolate the gas network and make the property safe.
