Smoke billowed across a large area of south Leamington as three properties close to the Windmill Road junction suffered extensive damage.

Emergency services were called to initial reports of a shed fire around midday. But it soon became clear the incident was more serious, and as it developed fire engines from Leamington, Nuneaton, Wellesbourne and Stratford, including a hydraulic platform unit, attended.

A command centre was set up in the road, which was cordoned off by police for a distance of about 100m.

Firemen used breathing apparatus to enter homes and at least one casualty was reported to have been taken from the scene by ambulance, although it was later confirmed there had been no injuries.

The blaze is believed to have started in a back garden workshop, close to the junction with Windmill Road. Witnesses reported hearing several small explosions before the flames spread across a plastic lean-to and engulfed the end house of a terrace of five.

Incident commander Simon Ellershaw said: "Before our arrival there were reports of mini explosions coming from the back of the property.

"It is possible they were caused by either gas cylinders stored in the shed or the fire affecting a nearby electrical supply.

"Crews had to tackle both the blaze in the garden as well as attempting to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties.

"The electrical supply to neighbouring houses has been affected. The cause of the fire will now be investigated."

Damping down took several hours and power to the some homes in the surrounding area was disrupted into Saturday.

See footage of the fire at www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk

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