The owner of the local shop on the Orchard Estate saw scenes of chaos and panic as a blaze ripped through a 10th floor flat on Saturday.

Two adjacent flats were also damaged and two people - a man and a woman - suffered smoke inhalation and the man was taken to hospital.

Shanthy Svijay, 49, who has been the owner of the Orchard Food Store in Broadmead Road for 12 years, saw plumes of black smoke coming from the flat as crowds gathered outside.

She said: “It was very scary. There were children crying and praying to God outside.”

Twelve fire engines and 81 fire-fighters and officers attended the scene in Liston Way.

Residents have told Mrs Svijay that the aftermath of the blaze has left the lifts and many of the lights out of order in the block because of water damage from fire hoses, putting elderly tenants at risk.

Louise Walker, 44, of nearby Blenheim Court was first alerted to the fire because of the smell of smoke and could see everything from her window.

She said: “I saw tons and tons of black smoke and flames coming out.”

Ms Walker could see the devastation caused by the fire from outside the flats this morning.

She said:” There’s no balcony left, no windows. It’s just a big black hole.

“I feel so sorry for them, it’s just awful.”

 

See a video here: