Huge plume of smoke as fire engulfs tower block

Firefighters are tackling a large fire in a Surrey town centre where a large plume of smoke can be seen.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said eight fire engines had been on the scene of the fire in Staines town centre since 12:35 BST.

The fire broke out near the Tothill multi-storey car park, in Elmsleigh Road, on a site that is being redeveloped.

Residents are being asked to avoid the area and keep windows closed.

Surrey Police confirmed Thames Street was closed between South Street and Church Street and that the force was on the scene supporting the fire service.

A spokesman said the fire was now under control but firefighters expected to be on site for “a while longer”.

They said everyone was accounted for, while paramedics assessed four patients for smoke inhalation. One was taken to hospital for further treatment, a South East Coast Ambulance spokesperson said.

They added that its hazardous area response team is at the scene.

Spelthorne Borough Council said residents using the nearby Staines Community Centre had been safely evacuated.

There were reports from near the scene that a loud bang was heard in the area.

Laura Purkess, who lives nearby, described hearing a bang from inside her house.

She said: “It was like a ‘boom’ noise loud enough for me and all my neighbours to run out onto the street, and the roof was very much on fire already.

“It started on one side and then spread across the entire roof. There were then a few more crashing sounds.”

A fire service spokesperson said there was no mention of a cause at this stage.

On X, formerly Twitter, the fire service said the call had been received at about 12:30 BST to a report of a fire at the former multi-storey car park.

The service said: “Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire.

“Please can you avoid the area if possible and we ask residents to keep their windows shut.”