Residents in Grenoside, Sheffield, were forced to evacuate their homes early this morning after a significant garden fire escalated and spread to adjacent properties. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service described the incident as "very serious", with crews called to Fox Hill Road at approximately 04:00 BST.
The blaze, which originated in a garden, rapidly engulfed five houses, prompting a large-scale response from emergency services. At the height of the incident, eight fire engines and several specialist vehicles were deployed to the scene to tackle the intense flames.
By around 10:00 BST, firefighters had successfully extinguished the fire and were undertaking damping down operations to prevent any reignition. While a number of evacuated residents have been rehoused, the fire service confirmed that there have been no reported injuries.
Road closures were put in place on Fox Hill Road, Salt Box Lane, and Wilcox Road, and the public was advised to avoid the area due to significant smoke lingering. Residents living nearby were also urged to keep windows and doors shut as a precautionary measure.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service expressed their sympathies to all those affected by the incident. An investigation into the precise cause of the fire is expected to commence later today, once the scene has been fully secured and deemed safe for investigators.