Fire service respond to reports of a church fire on Jarrom Street
- LM News
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A blaze has taken hold of a church in Leicester city centre.
A coffin with a body prepared for a funeral service was saved from a significant fire at a church over 160 years old.
The Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service reported receiving numerous calls regarding St Andrew's Church on Jarrom Street, Leicester, at 23:17 on Tuesday.
At the peak of the fire, eight engines and two high-reach appliances were present at the location.
The fire service remain at the scene this morning, July 29.
Our drone footage shows extensive damage to the 150 year-old roof.
A spokesperson from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service said:
"There is an incident on Jarrom Street in Leicester City, this is sending smoke over the city.
Please keep windows and doors closed!"
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and crews are working with Cadent Gas and National Grid to isolate the gas and electricity supplies to the site Jarrom Street remains closed near the junction of Oxford Street/Welford Road, with a diversion in place and disruption continuing to affect routes to the nearby Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Leicestershire Police said it was notified of the fire at 23:36 on Tuesday and that the cause of the fire was under investigation.
It added an examination of the scene and assessment of the structure would be carried out in due course.
The force advised those travelling into the city to avoid the area or find an alternative route.
Residents living nearby have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed.
A spokesperson for the fire service added: "We would like to take this opportunity to ask members of the public to please be careful during this ongoing heatwave with anything that could start a fire, whether in the countryside, or in urban areas.
"The warm, dry conditions mean fires can start easily and spread very quickly."
Update 15:30
Following a fire investigation this morning, we can now confirm that the most probable cause of the incident is accidental. The fire began on the ground floor before spreading to the roof of the church.
The building was secure at the time, with no sign of forced entry.
