Council supporting residents following devastating fire

A fire at a two-storey building in Stoke-on-Trent is being investigated by police.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is supporting residents of Henderson Grove, in Meir, following the blaze in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 11 September).

Emergency welfare officers acted quickly to help arrange a reception centre at a nearby primary school for affected residents, where a small number remained this afternoon.

The fire destroyed a large part of the two-storey brick-built building and it is likely that the small number of residents of the affected homes will be unable to return for many months. The council is working extremely hard to re-home these families into temporary accommodation in the city.

The council has confirmed that residents from less-affected properties in the building have been able to move back into their homes this afternoon, once the power was restored.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “I would like to extend my thanks to the council officers who acted quickly in the early hours of this morning to arrange help for those residents who have been affected by this terrible incident.

“Our officers are continuing to work hard today to support residents with everything from providing advice and reassurance to food vouchers, sourcing phone chargers, ensuring they have access to medication and ensuring they – and their pets - can be re-housed as quickly as possible.

“Two people received medical treatment following the incident and I would like to wish them well in their recovery.

“We will continue to assist Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service as they continue to make the area safe and investigate the incident, and would encourage anyone who has any information about the fire to get in touch with them by calling 101 and quoted incident number 63 of September 11.”