Crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) were called to a “large industrial fire” in Leicester City Centre in the early hours of 2 May 2024.
A total of six fire appliances and nearly 40 firefighters attended the blaze at the industrial unit on Great Central Street. LFRS confirmed that crews were aided by two aerial ladder platforms, a technical rescue unit, and three urban search and rescue (USAR) modules, with the USAR equipment used to “shore up” the structure and integrity of the building.
LFRS added that its Fire Control received about 60 calls regarding the blaze within 10 minutes, and locals were advised to keep doors and windows closed as huge plumes of smoke surrounded the area. The emergency response was soon scaled back to three appliances remaining at the scene, with BBC News reporting that firefighters stayed on to “dampen down the damaged building”.
Speaking to Leicestershire Live, the station manager for LFRS, Darren Weston, said: “We also had smoke from the fire, which we believe has caused a smoke alarm in the adjacent high-rise building. Large amounts of smoke were coming off it, blowing over towards the south side of the city, over towards the West End area.”
In addition to fire crews, 10 police officers were also at the scene along with the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS):
“No persons were involved in the fire at all. EMAS remained in attendance in case of firefighter injuries, and they have now left the scene,” Weston added.
Leicestershire Police also confirmed that a “number of surrounding flats were evacuated as a precaution, but residents were allowed to return a short time later”.
It is understood that staff from the Environmental Agency were also on hand “taking samples and investigating whether there is any risk of pollution to nearby watercourses”.
While the fire has now been extinguished, LFRS said that the cause of the fire has yet to be established. Leicestershire Police has since issued an appeal for witnesses, with investigating officer, Detective Constable Imogen Beasley adding:
“While we’ve spoken to several people already, I’d ask anyone who can help but who has not yet contacted police to do so.
“I’m particularly keen to speak to taxi drivers or other motorists with dashcams who were in the area. Anything the camera captured could help.
“I’d also urge anyone who was walking in the area and saw or heard someone acting in a manner that seemed unusual or suspicious to come forward.”
(Photograph by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service)