A rest centre set up by Herefordshire Council's Emergency Planning Unit working with Halo provided a temporary refuge for families who were evacuated due to the fire in Leominster yesterday (Tues, Sept 30).
The town's Bridge Street sports centre became the rest centre during the afternoon when it was decided that around 20 to 30 homes in Green Lane had to be evacuated due to the threat of smoke, toxic fumes and exploding gas cylinders.
Initially it was feared that a nearby sheltered housing complex would have to be evacuated which meant the emergency planners had to call on social workers and request that volunteers from St John Ambulance and the local clergy be in attendance to provide welfare and support.
However, fire officers at the scene eventually felt the evacuation of the complex was not necessary.
At the sports centre, council plans to turn it into a rest centre swung into operation; bedding and provisions were brought in and prepared.
A total of around 15 people made use of the centre and were kept warm and fed throughout the afternoon and evening before overnight accommodation was secured for the families to spend the night with friends and relatives.
The centre closed at 8pm.