Flat fire in Coventry high rise

Around 50 firefighters have extinguished a severe flat fire on the 11th floor of a Coventry high rise.

Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control started to receive multiple 999 calls at 4.12pm on Saturday 30 September, reporting a fire in the 16-storey Samuel Vale House on St Nicholas Street in Radford.

Several fire engines, 4×4 brigade response vehicles and a hydraulic aerial platform responded, with the first crew arriving within five minutes.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus successfully extinguished the fire, which was confirmed to be out by 5.40pm.

The fire affected all of the flat in which it broke out, with smoke spreading to some flats above.

We evacuated a number of people from their flats, but several were able to stay in their homes. Those evacuated are being looked after in a nearby church.

St Nicholas Road remained closed as of 6pm, when plans were being made to reduce our resources at the scene.

Police and ambulance colleagues have also been in attendance, and we are liaising closely with Citizen Housing.