Ploughmans Close evacuated after Fairfield Day Nursery fire

Smoke poured out onto Ploughmans Close and Gamekeepers Drive yesterday (Saturday) evening after a fire at Fairfield Day Nursery.

Homeowners lined the streets in dressing gowns and slippers and watched in shock as a section of the nursery was gutted.

The damage caused by the fire. (Image: NQ)West Mercia Police evacuated the street while firefighters tackled the fire which started at 8am.

One neighbour, who was evacuated, said: "They (police) knocked on the door and asked us to leave the property and to take the dog as they said they weren't sure if there were explosives.

"We were all out the front for half an hour and there were loads of people out the front.

"Everyone stood outside in dressing gowns, in their slippers and dogs were on leads."

Another neighbour nearly had their garden shed destroyed as flames encroached onto their property. 

"I need to sort out the roof of my shed before it's dark as it's damaged," he said.

"I was out and going to town and my wife rang me. She said there was a bang - like some sort of explosion. It went bang.

"It was a massive fire. We were lucky.

"If the shed went all my stuff would be gone."

A spokesperson for the nursery on Carnforth Drive said staff were saddened by what happened but extremely grateful that fire crews got to the blaze before it spread.

Staff are appealing for anyone with CCTV footage to come forward to help police investigations.

The security cameras had melted. (Image: NQ)The nursery's main building remains unaffected by the fire and will be open as usual tomorrow.

During the fire a West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "We are currently assisting our colleagues from the fire service with a fire on Ploughmans Close in Worcester.

"All residents who need to be evacuated have been taken to safety. We are asking the public to stay away from this area."