Surbiton fire evacuees call for investigation into warehouse blaze

Residents evacuated from their homes after a fire ripped through a nearby timber warehouse have called for an investigation into the blaze.

About 20 people living in Elgar Avenue and King Charles Road met with Kingston councillors to discuss the fallout from a fire at the Travis Perkin site in Surbiton on Thursday, February 23.

At the meeting on Sunday concerns were raised over toxicity from burnt wood, which was swept by the wind into their gardens and allotment plots.

They questioned whether it was safe to have a warehouse storing flammable materials in a residential area.

Alexandra ward councillor Michael Burden also wants the council to put pressure on Travis Perkins to make sure residents are properly compensated.

Charles Abela, who lives next door to the site, was evacuated with his family in the early hours of Thursday morning.

He said he heard several explosions as he was being led away from his home by firefighters which sounded like cans of paint or bottled gas.

Travis Perkins said the fire alarm was controlled by a central office which looks after their sites nationwide though nearby residents said they did not hear it.

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