A MASSIVE fire yesterday (Monday) by the Grand Union Canal at Belgrave in Leicester caused the Grand Union Canal to be closed to navigation by the police.
The fire started in a building near to a number of factories, and quickly spread, with toxic smoke causing evacuation of nearby homes and people in the area told to close all windows and doors and attempt to keep out of the smoke laden atmosphere, Roger Guiver tells us.
Fire spread
As the fire spread to the factories there were many explosions, and the police were keeping people away from the windward side of the flames and smoke, and boaters were stopped from continuing towards the area. Photograph by Ian Stringer.
A refuge for the 140 people who have been evacuated from their homes was set up at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, where they spent last night.
Five fire appliances, platforms and water jets were brought in to control the fire, which it has been reported could be seen from five miles away.