A "huge fire" tore the roof off a building and left charred wood remaining after emergency crews rushed to the scene. The incident happened in Heanor Market Place on Saturday evening, and the area remains closed on Sunday(August 21).
Smoke was seen coming from the three-storey property, that is home to apartments and businesses, and a number of roads were closed while fire crews worked at the scene. Fire crews from Heanor, Ilkeston, Alfreton and Ascot Driver fire stations were first sent to the scene to tackle the blaze.
One woman who works at a neighbouring business, said: "I wasn't here until 4am and that's when I saw what had happened. We had to close yesterday but we've reopened since as normal. The whole road was closed off last night.
"Some staff were taking pictures of what had happened, it was pretty massive. It's not spread to us so there's no damage, it was a bit smoky upstairs though."
READ MORE: Fire crews called out to building fire in Nottinghamshire
Anna Green, 35, told Nottinghamshire Live: "When I saw it last night, there was flames coming from the roof - it was a huge fire. Loads of people were just stood watching.
"The firefighters did an amazing job, it could have probably spread further but looking at it today obviously it didn't. I wonder what caused it."
The incident that was first reported to Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service just after 4pm on Saturday.
"I read about it last night and I'm seeing it for the first time now," said Alan Hull, 57. "It's done a lot of damage, that's for sure. There are a lot of businesses here that will be happy it is all over now.
"I don't remember a fire like it here."
Crews from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were asked to attend along with a Command Support Unit from Long Eaton Fire Station and a water carrier from Clay Cross Fire Station. On Sunday morning, the area remains cordoned off to the public, with charred remains of the building strewn across the floor and the roof completely destroyed.
According to the fire service smoke was seen coming from the three-storey property that is home to apartments and businesses.
Derbyshire Police's Heanor and Langley Mill Police Safer Neighbourhood Team were also at the scene and confirmed on Sunday morning that Market Place is expected to remain closed "for the next few days".
They said: "Fortunately No one was hurt and everyone managed to get out safely."
The incident drew crowds of people who watched the firefighters tackle the blaze. At the height of the incident, businesses and residents in the area were advised to keep their windows and doors closed. That advice has now been lifted.
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