Firefighters tackle major blaze in Exeter

Dozens of fire crews have been fighting a blaze in Exeter city centre this afternoon.

Fifteen appliances from across Devon, including one from Somerset, were called to the Richer Sounds in Sidwell Street at around 1.45, after smoke was reported to be billowing from the store.

A spokesperson for Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Police were informed just after 2.05pm of a fire in the basement of Richer Sounds Music Shop on Sidwell Street.

“There are reports of a large amount of smoke and this is drifting into nearby areas including Newtown. Police are advising that residents and businesses in the area to keep their windows and doors closed for the foreseeable future.

“Residents from nearby properties including International students in the adjacent building have been evacuated as a precaution.

“No injuries have currently been reported but a number of road closures are in place and evacuations are taking place.

“We ask that people avoid the area, keep their windows closed in the area and look for alternative routes in and out of Exeter City Centre for the foreseeable future.”

There are currently a number of road closures in place including:

St Anne's roundabout
Western Way
Sidwell Street
Summerland Street
Blackboy Road
Old Tiverton road
Additional road closures are now in place at Henry's Bar on Blackboy Road.

Exeter City Council are open at the Civic Centre, and can also be contacted via twitter handle @ExeterCouncil - they have advice for anyone who is unable to return to their home due to the fire.

Bus services have been diverted as follows: E/F1/F2, J/K/T, 1/1A/1B diverting via York Road, Union Road and then either Mount Pleasant (J/K/T, 1/1A/1B) or Stoke Hill (E/F1/F2). Blue and Red Park & Ride services are using the Heavitree Road to access the city centre.

Police are expecting to be at the scene throughout the night tackling this fire and damping down and anticipate that roads closures will be in place until 2am at the earliest.

http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/business-daily-local-news/dozens-fi...