A severe fire broke out in a high-rise flat block in Coventry. Firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze at Samuel Vale House in Radford.
Smoke could be seen billowing into the sky as the blaze took hold at the residential building on St Nicholas Street. It is understood residents were evacuated and taken to Coventry Central Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control said they started to receive multiple calls at 4.12pm on Saturday, September 30. A total of 50 firefighters responded, with the first crew arriving within five minutes of being mobilised.
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Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus successfully extinguished the fire, which was confirmed to be out by 5.40pm. Two people were 'led to safety' from inside the building, said West Midlands Fire Service.
Coventry North West Labour MP Taiwo Owatemi thanked firefighters 'who responded so quickly to tackle the fire at Samuel Vale House.' Officials are now investigating the cause of the blaze which sparked a huge emergency response on Saturday.
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Two people 'led to safety' from Samuel Vale House
Two people have been 'led to safety' from the inside of Samuel Vale House on St Nicholas Street in Radford. Paramedics assessed both individuals who were then discharged, said West Midlands Fire Service.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: 'Firefighters led two people to safety from inside the building. We are now working with Citizen Housing to allow people who were evacuated back into their homes.
'Our resources at the scene have been reduced, but a number of fire crews remain. Our investigators are working to establish how the fire started.'
Statement from WMFS
West Midlands Fire Service has released further details about the fire at Samuel Vale House in Radford. A spokesman also confirmed that the blaze has been 'fully extinguished.'
A spokesman said: 'Around 50 firefighters have extinguished a severe flat fire on the 11th floor of a high rise in Coventry. Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control started to receive multiple 999 calls at 4.12pm on Saturday, September 30, reporting a fire in the 16-storey Samuel Vale House on St Nicholas Street in Radford.
'Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus successfully extinguished the fire, which was confirmed to be out by 5.40pm. We evacuated a number of people from their flats, but several were able to stay in their homes, and those evacuated are being looked after at Coventry Central Seventh Day Adventist Church.'
'I hope everyone is safe' says Taiwo Owatemi
Coventry MP Taiwo Owatemi has shared a statement about the incident on Facebook.
Ms Owatemi said: 'Thank you to the firefighters who have responded quickly to tackle the fire at Samuel Vale House. I hope everyone is safe and that the fire has not resulted in any serious injuries.'
WMFS says large blaze 'under control'
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus continue to tackle the blaze at Samuel Vale House in Radford. It is believed to be 'under control,' according to West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS).
WMFS said a large number of residents have been evacuated from the building and they are liaising closely with Citizen Housing.
Details from WMFS
West Midlands Fire Service said they received a call about the 'severe' blaze at Samuel Vale House at 4.10pm.
Appliances from Coventry and Foleshill Fire Stations were dispatched, with the first arriving within five minutes of being mobilised.
Closure of St Nicholas Street
Drivers have been told to avoid the nearby vicinity following a large fire on St Nicholas Street in Radford.
It is understood the road remains closed while firefighters tackle the blaze at Samuel Vale House.
Update from WMFS
Officials at West Midlands Fire Service have said that the large fire broke out on the 11th floor of Samuel Vale House in Radford.
@WMFS Crews currently dealing with a fire on the 11th floor of a residential tall building in Coventry. 10 fire engines and a hydraulic platform in attendance. 50 Firefighters are working hard to extinguish fire. pic.twitter.com/YWasZxuRwM
— West Midlands Fire Service (@WestMidsFire) September 30, 2023
Crews at Samuel Vale House
West Midlands Fire Service has confirmed that fifty firefighters are currently at the scene of the blaze on St Nicholas Street.
Fire on St Nicholas Street
A large fire has broken out on St Nicholas Street in Coventry.
Firefighters are currently dealing with the blaze at Samuel Vale House.
