Emergency services swarmed Stroud in Gloucestershire on Boxing Day after a house fire has seen three people now ‘unaccounted for’.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of this morning (December 26) as Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene on Brimscombe Hill at around 3am.
One person was able to leave the burning house and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment. However, the other three people inside the house are currently unaccounted for as emergency services are working to locate them..
In a statement shared with GloucestershireLive, the force added: “At around 3am this morning, police were called to a report of a fire at a property on Brimscombe Hill.
(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
“Officers attended the scene along with crews from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the ambulance service.
“One person, who was able to get out of the property, was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to be treated.
“Three other people, who were believed to have been inside the property, have not yet been accounted for and efforts to locate them are ongoing.
“Road closures are currently in place on Brimscombe Hill while emergency services remain at the scene and people are being asked to avoid the area. An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.”
Councillor Chloe Turner posted a message on social media warning people to avoid the area.
She said: “Good morning, as some of you may be aware, there has been a house fire overnight in the Brimscombe Hill area.
“Unless you are directly involved, a request to please avoid the area entirely, so that the emergency crews can continue their work unimpeded.
“If anyone in the community has information that may assist in the investigation, or needs any support as a result of the incident, please call 101 or let the on-site police know, and they will direct you to the appropriate agency. The emergency services and councils are working closely together, but if you have any problems, please let me know.
“My thoughts are very much with everyone impacted by this tragic incident. The police will make a public statement with more information in due course.”
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