Staines tower fire: Firefighters tell people to avoid area as smoke billows across Surrey town

People in Staines have been told to avoid an area of the town centre while emergency services tackle a large fire in a car park that broke out early on Wednesday afternoon (June 26). Thick black smoke has been seen billowing into the sky above the Surrey town and across the River Thames.

A spokesperson for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed: “We received a call this afternoon around 12.30pm to a report of a fire at the former Tothill Car Park, Elmsleigh Road, Staines-upon-Thames. Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire.”

Residents and businesses in the area have been urged to keep away and to close their windows while the incident is ongoing. The SFRS spokesperson continued: “Please can you avoid the area if possible and we ask residents to keep their windows shut.”

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SurreyLive understands eight pumps have been sent to the incident. The first arrived around 12.35pm. Photos and video taken in the area show fire crews rushing to the scene with flames and a column of smoke erupting from the top of the building.

Stay up-to-date with the latest from the incident and recap all that is known so far here.

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