A massive blaze erupted at a Farnham newsagent following a loud explosion late on Saturday night. Around 11pm, six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to Station Hill, Farnham, after a huge explosion shook nearby shops and homes.
Flames burst from the front of Station Hill Newsagents and the adjoining off-licence, with the shop reported to be fully alight. Fire crews from Surrey and Hampshire responded swiftly to the incident.
Surrey Police established a large cordon and closed the road to ensure public safety. The South East Coast Ambulance Service deployed a specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) along with multiple other resources to the scene.
Residents living in the flats on the second and third floors above the burning shop were evacuated by police due to smoke filling the building. A local witness said, “We were in the Mulberry when it happened. We got evacuated and had to navigate through Station and down Firgrove. Total chaos and panic, but we helped calm people and tended to minor injuries.”
A Surrey Fire & Rescue spokesperson confirmed, “Fire crews are tackling a fire in a three-storey building used as an off-licence and flats.”
Firefighters from Farnham, Rushmoor, Guildford, Godalming, Camberley, and the Incident Command Unit from Painshill attended the scene. Surrey fire investigation officers have also arrived to determine the cause of the explosion and fire.
Surrey Fire has confirmed that all residents have been safely evacuated and no injuries have been reported from the incident. The blaze remains active as crews continue their efforts to bring it under control.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Originally published by UKNIP.