Residents displaced after rapid-spreading fire in Cumbrae Close
Emergency services scrambled to a Slough cul-de-sac on Saturday afternoon after a fire spread rapidly through a row of homes, leaving several properties gutted and multiple vehicles destroyed. Neighbours described scenes of black smoke and collapsed roofs as the blaze took hold.
Fire crews, ambulances and police were sent to Cumbrae Close following the first 999 call at about 4.07pm. Residents said more than seven fire engines attended and used hose jets to bring the inferno under control. A police cordon remained in place on Sunday morning while the area was assessed.
Charred remains of buildings, burned-out garages and vehicles could be seen the morning after the incident. Staff at a nearby business said they could only see smoke as emergency teams closed surrounding roads to deal with the blaze.
- Time of initial call: about 4.07pm on Saturday
- Location: Cumbrae Close, Slough
- Emergency response: more than seven fire engines, police and ambulances
Neighbours, families and businesses affected
Those living close to the scene described how quickly the fire developed. Adam Jellis, 24, who lives opposite the damaged properties, said he was doing household chores when he noticed the fire at his fence and alerted neighbours.
“I was doing the washing up, looked through my blind and saw the fence was alight. It went up so quickly – in a matter of moments it had doubled in size.”
Mr Jellis said he went door-to-door to warn neighbours and that many residents had already left the area when the blaze escalated. Dozens gathered in nearby St Paul’s Avenue while crews worked to extinguish the flames.
A local worker at Slough Tyre Centre, which backs onto the affected homes, said staff could only see smoke as roads were closed for the safety of emergency teams tackling the fire.
Several families were left picking up the pieces on Sunday. Ams Tara, who has lived in Cumbrae Close for six years, said neighbours had lost their homes and livelihoods.
“These are my neighbours; seeing their places destroyed – it’s horrible.”
Mr Tara also reported losing a van in the blaze after trying to move nearby vehicles away from the spread of flames. He said he feared the fire could have ignited further vehicles, including one hybrid car he attempted to shift.
Mohammad Warsi, 42, whose home was among those destroyed, described the rapid spread of the fire along a fence and into adjacent properties. He was at home with his wife and two children, aged 13 and 18, when the flames started.
“I saw the fire and plumes of ‘black smoke’...”
Investigation and support under way
A police cordon and fire service presence remained on-site as authorities began assessing the cause and scale of the damage. The incident follows a separate vehicle fire reported in Slough earlier the same weekend, an event that also drew fire crews to the town.
At the time of reporting, details on how many households were displaced or the scale of insurance losses were not available. Emergency responders have not yet published a full account of the cause of the fire.
Local residents have been urged to follow any instructions from emergency services and to avoid the cordoned area to allow crews to complete their work safely. Community groups and neighbours often play a vital role in supporting those affected after such incidents; in this case, dozens of people gathered nearby while the response continued.
| Item | Known detail |
|---|---|
| First call received | About 4.07pm, Saturday |
| Approximate fire engines | More than seven |
| Reported injuries | No information published on injuries |
As investigations continue, residents and local businesses face the practical task of recovery. The immediate priority will be establishing the needs of displaced families and securing any properties made unsafe by the blaze.
The scale and speed of the incident serve as a stark reminder of how quickly fires can devastate homes and livelihoods. Local agencies, including the fire service and police, will need to provide clear information to help people rebuild and to answer questions about the cause and prevention of similar events in future.
