Tower block evacuated after fire and chemical alert at Sheffield high rise flats
Seven fire stations sent crews to the incident
Dozens of people were evacuated from a tower block over a chemical and fire alert in a high rise block of flats in Sheffield.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to the incident on Oxford Street, Upperthorpe, late last night, and were on the scene well into the early hours after a fire was reported.
Officials this morning said they found no fire in the end - but they believe that the smoke and chemical smell which caused the alert was due to a cigarette smouldering on a mattress.
One evacuee, who stayed with relatives overnight, said residents had been worried that they were going to find themselves in a situation like residents in High Green earlier this week, when a street was evacuated for more than 24 hours.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said in a statement: “Firefighters were called at 11.35pm yesterday (Thursday, September 17) to reports of a fire on Oxford Street, Sheffield.
"Crews completed a full investigation and search of the building and found no further signs of fire.
"The fire and chemical smell is believed to have been caused by a cigarette smouldering on a mattress.
"Crews left the scene at 2.52am (Friday September 18)"
"Crews from Rivelin, Central, Elm Lane, Parkway, Birley Moor, Aston Park and Maltby attended the scene and as a precaution issued a full evacuation order due to a strong chemical smell within the building.”