RESIDENTS of flats on Launceston’s Newport Industrial Estate had to leave their homes on Sunday night when fire took hold in neighbouring units.

A resident of one of the flats alerted the fire brigade to the blaze and more than 40 firefighters from Cornwall and Devon were called to the scene.

Crews from Launceston, Callington, Liskeard, Crownhill, and Holsworthy attended at around 10.10pm.

Three officers, a command vehicle, operational support vehicle, aerial platform, and welfare vehicle were also in support.

There were around 15 residents in the flats at the time, including children and a pregnant woman — all were able to get out safely.

One person suffered minor injuries for smoke inhalation and was treated by paramedics at the scene.

The police closed roads in the area, all of which were reopened within hours.

The crews extinguished the fire and left shortly after 2am.

Fire investigators were back at the scene on Monday. Police on Monday morning said they were currently not treating the cause of the fire as suspicious.

David Carlisle, station manager and part of the fire investigation team from Penzance Fire Station, said: “From our point of view we needed to get in and get the site secured and safe as quickly as possible,

“We have begun by looking at the outside of the area and will then proceed to investigate inside to determine the cause of the fire.”

It is believed the fire may have originated in the centre unit and that it affected three other businesses as it spread through to adjoining industrial units.

The flats are above the adjacent Lucas Cars Launceston, premises, — the front showroom of the firm was relatively unaffected, but the storage area behind the premises has been severely damaged.

Mike Green, owner of Lucas Cars Launceston, said: “We live in Cardiff so weren’t able to come and see the damage to our property until today (Monday).

“The roof has come down in places and there is damage throughout. It has affected our electricity and phones but I have luckily been able to divert calls to my mobile.

“The fact that there were around 14 fire trucks and more than 40 firefighters in attendance just goes to show the enormity of the incident. We have been very fortunate that we are able to continue business from our front showroom.

“We are now just waiting for assessors to arrive and there has been no estimate as yet to the cost of damage caused.”

Dean Reardon owns two businesses, which are behind the centre unit, and were affected by the blaze. Both J D Motors and RecyCo SW sustained extensive damage and as a result were left unable to trade.

Mr Reardon, from Holsworthy, said: “I heard about the fire at around 11.30pm as my phone had been on silent and I hadn’t been able to receive the call before then.

“When I got there I wasn’t allowed near the site as the fire brigade were still damping down the fire.

“The car side of the business is able to be put on hold and I can rearrange with my clients for those cars that are undamaged. The RecyCo business will need to be restarted in, I estimate, about two weeks maximum.

“The problem is that we run collections three times a week and if I’m not able to get out to my customers they have to hold on to their recycling.”

Mr Reardon said he was thankful to the fire brigade for attending so quickly: “I believe it took the fire services around 20 minutes to attend the fire, which I think is acceptable when you consider there is no manned fire station in town.

“If the fire brigade hadn’t responded so quickly the whole place would have gone up.

“The support we have received from people in the town has been great, you don’t realise the social aspect of how known you are in a town and how much everyone is willing to help until something like this has happened.

“Since last night the phone has been ringing with people calling to offer support and help to store goods in warehouse spaces and the like. It has been truly humbling.”