A fire that ravaged seven homes in Carlisle is not believed to be suspicious as recovery work is set to start.
Crews were called to Linton Street at about 3pm on Friday, with firefighters maintaining a presence at the site across the weekend.
Engines from Carlisle East and Carlisle West stations initially attended and while there, discovered that the fire was spreading along the roof void of a long terrace of homes.
They requested the assistance of engines from Longtown, Brampton, Wigton and Penrith and the service’s aerial ladder platform.
It is estimated that 30 firefighters were involved in bringing the blaze under control.
“We were back and forward all weekend,” said Mike Clusker, station manager at Carlisle east fire station.
Mike said that without the swift actions of his teams on the ground, the impact could have been much worse.
“Without a doubt,” he said.
“It is always difficult fighting a fire on the roof, but they did a great job preventing many more properties being damaged.”
The senior firefighter heaped praise on the rapid response from neighbours and police who helped to evacuate the buildings to ensure no one was hurt.
A full fire investigation and report is yet to take place but it is believed that the blaze was caused accidentally.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has now handed the response to the incident to Carlisle City Council.
A Carlisle City Council spokeswoman said: “Our building control team has been assessing the structural damage to the houses and have advised on the works needed to obviate the immediate danger caused by the fire.
“We have appointed a contractor to undertake this work. This will include removing loose slates, boarding up windows and in some cases, removing the severely fire damaged roof structures in order that the public footpath can be reopened.
“Temporary weather protection will also be put in place to some of the properties with minor damage to their roofs.”
Work is due to start tomorrow and the city council says it has supported some residents by helping them to find temporary accommodation.
Residents can apply for support to the Cumbria Disaster Fund at www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/cumbria-disaster-fund/
A local fundraising campaign for the residents has also been launched to help the victims.
