Hertford fire: Residents warned to close doors and windows as thick smoke billows from blaze

Residents have been warned this morning to keep their doors and windows closed following a huge

Smoke could be seen billowing "from quite a distance" after the blaze on Pegs Lane in Hertford. Crews in six fire appliances after several calls to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service late on Tuesday night.

"Six fire appliances are in currently attendance at a fire on Pegs Lane, Hertford. Please keep roads in the immediate area clear to allow emergency services to reach the incident as efficiently as possible. There is a large amount of smoke from the fire, so if you live nearby please keep windows and doors closed while we deal with the incident," a spokesperson for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service had said.

The operation on the street, which is in the centre of Hertford and near several office blocks, lasted several hours and now residents should continue to keep windows shut as smoke remnants linger above the town.

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Windows will therefore be closed on what is expected to be another warm night. in the UK today, after Monday's high of 27.4C in Blackpool, Lancashire.

It is understood a building in Hertford was on fire but authorities are yet to confirm which property. People on social media have shared dramatic photographs of smoke billowing above the town, and fierce flames roaring from the fire.

The fire service added an update to its website at around 11pm, writing: "The fire on Pegs Lane, Hertford is now extinguished. Some crews will remain at the scene to damp down and check for hotspots. Thank you for helping keep the area clear as we dealt with the incident."

Roads were closed throughout Tuesday night, police said. Hertfordshire Constabulary warned residents diversions were in place. The force posted on social media: "We have a number of road closures in place around Pegs Lane #Hertford due to a fire. Please avoid the area." It led to heavy traffic in suburbs in the south of the town, particularly around Horns Mill and Mangrove Lane.

Writing on social media, one man said: "Can see it’s a big fire from Ware." Ware is around three miles from Hertford. Another person shared a photo of smoke seen in Welwyn Garden City, which is approximately seven miles from the scene. Another social media user posted: "Visible from my house. Hope no one is injured." It is believed no one was injured seriously as a result of the blaze.

It comes after after two tragic ripped through homes in the early hours of Saturday morning in Bilston, West Midlands.

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