VIDEO UPDATE: Firefighters called to ‘intense’ blaze at Horsham dry cleaners

Part of a dry cleaners has been destroyed after an ‘intense’ blaze in Horsham this evening (Thursday January 16).
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jan 2014, 19:26 BST
Firefighters called to fire at Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (Harley Tamplin).Firefighters called to fire at Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (Harley Tamplin).
Firefighters called to fire at Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (Harley Tamplin).

Emergency services were called to the Bishopric just after 6.30pm to find people ‘panicking’.

Two crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service had initially responded to reports of smoke issuing from the roof of Shelley House.

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Crew commander Neil Mason said the building was ‘well alight’ upon arrival.

Firefighters called to fire at Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (Harley Tamplin).Firefighters called to fire at Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (Harley Tamplin).
Firefighters called to fire at Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (Harley Tamplin).

He told the County Times: “We had some people that were panicking on the second floor and hanging from the windows.”

Firefighters attempted to reach the people using a ladder but no one was in danger, continued Mr Mason.

He said the blaze, which had broken out in part of the building behind the road, was ‘intense’.

Crews spent around 30 minutes battling the flames.

Firefighters attended a blaze at a Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (HT).Firefighters attended a blaze at a Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (HT).
Firefighters attended a blaze at a Horsham dry cleaners in the Bishopric (HT).
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Mr Mason added the ten by five metre unit had been mostly destroyed.

Police partially closed the Bishopric but the road will be fully re-opened later this evening.

A fire investigator was on the scene.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Updates to follow.

Related topics:Emergency servicesWest Sussex Fire and Rescue Service