FIRE AT SHERFORD

Information and statements regarding the fire at Sherford on 19 September:

Clarion Housing: Update on the Aquila Drive Fire

Thursday 25 September 2025

We want to update the community following the fire at Aquila Drive on Friday 19 September.

The police are treating the incident as suspected arson and are appealing for information. If you can help with their investigation, please contact Devon & Cornwall Police directly.

We know this has been a worrying event for many local residents. Please be assured that:

• We are supporting those directly affected with temporary accommodation, financial assistance, and wellbeing services.
• Engineers are carrying out a full safety assessment of the building before residents are allowed to return home.
• The fire safety systems in the block worked as designed. Smoke detectors and sprinklers are fitted in every flat, and the block operates under a “stay put” fire strategy. During the fire, the stairwell smoke detection system automatically opened vents to release smoke.

We are working closely with the police and the local community, and we remain committed to supporting those affected.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Clarion:

• Call 0300 500 8000
• Email customerservices@myclarionhousing.com
• Visit com (Live Chat available)

Thank you for your continued support for the residents of Aquila Drive at this difficult time.

David Hunter

Director of Housing - Clarion Housing

Appeal from Devon & Cornwall Police

Monday 22 September 2025

Detectives are appealing for information following a suspected arson attack at a block of flats in Sherford, Plymouth, which endangered the lives of 30 residents.

Emergency services were called around 2.30am on Friday 19 September, after the blaze started in the four-storey building on Aquila Drive.

The fire is believed to have been deliberately started in the communal entrance to the building and quickly engulfed the main staircase.

A total of 28 people were trapped and had to be rescued by the fire service while a further two residents managed to get themselves to safety.

All were checked by paramedics and 18 people were treated for smoke inhalation with six of those taken to hospital as a precaution.

Around 20 per cent of the building was damaged by fire with the remainder suffering minor smoke damage.

Fire investigators have deemed the fire as suspicious and police are treating the incident as suspected arson.

A scene guard was put in place at the property while officers carried out further investigations including house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses and urging residents to check their CCTV and doorbell cameras for any suspicious activity in the area between 1.40am and 2.20am on Friday 19 September.

Detective Inspector Katy Deer said: “We are investigating a report of a fire that we believe was started deliberately in the communal entrance of a residential property. We believe it was started using an accelerant and it quickly spread into the whole stairwell.

“This fire put the lives of 30 people at risk and could have had devastating and fatal consequences. It is down to sheer luck and the swift actions of residents and neighbours, the firefighters and the police officers that no-one was killed.

“If you live in Sherford or were driving through and saw anything suspicious then we would urge you to please get in touch. If you have information about who could have started this fire, we would encourage you to report it, even if anonymously.

“We would also ask residents to check their CCTV or doorbell cameras for any activity they may have been captured between 1.40am and 2.20am.

“Our officers are exploring all CCTV opportunities as our investigation continues.”

Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact police online or by telephone on 101, quoting crime reference 50250243421.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.

Vistry Cornwall South West

Monday 22 September 2025

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the fire at Aquila Drive, Sherford, in the early hours of Friday 19 September. We are grateful for the swift actions of Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the Police, and all those who assisted on the night.

Police are now treating the incident as suspected arson and have launched an appeal for information. Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious, or who has CCTV or doorbell camera footage from around 1:40–2:20am on Friday morning, is urged to contact Devon & Cornwall Police quoting crime reference 50250243421, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.

The apartment block is owned and managed by Clarion Housing Association, who have been leading the support provided to residents since the fire took place. Clarion has arranged temporary accommodation, emergency assistance, and ongoing welfare support for all those displaced, and is working closely with all of Police and Fire Brigade as the investigation continues.

The safety and wellbeing of residents is our highest priority. We will continue to support Clarion and the investigating authorities in any way we can, and further updates will be shared as information becomes available.

Clarion Housing Group

Friday 19 September 2025

Nicola Carr, Regional Housing Lead at Clarion Housing Group, said:

“We understand how distressing events this morning has been for our residents, and our frontline teams are on site speaking directly with households and providing support. We would like to thank the fire service for their swift response and professionalism.

“We are arranging temporary accommodation for those displaced and offering immediate assistance, including vouchers for essentials, to help residents while they are unable to return home.

“In the meantime, we continue to work closely with all partners to keep the building safe and to support the wellbeing of our residents.”

Background:

Developer Vistry are on site alongside Clarion and are assisting with fencing, security and making the block safe. Clarion has also arranged additional site security.

Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Friday 19 September 2025

We were called to a fire in the stairwell of a four-storey block of flats in Aquila Drive at 2.20am. We sent six fire appliances plus special appliances. Police and ambulance also in attendance.

Multiple people living there were unable to leave their flats due to the smoke. Fire Control operators provided guidance over the phone to 999 callers while fire crews made multiple rescues using the aerial ladder platform and ladders.

The fire was confined to the stairwell. 20% of the building was damaged by fire with the remainder having slight smoke damage.

Equipment used included six breathing apparatus sets, three ladders, five water jets and a thermal imaging camera.

Twenty-eight people were rescued by fire crews, two others were able to evacuate themselves. Of the 28 rescues, seven were by aerial ladder platform and 21 external to the building, using ladders and firefighters carrying people when required.

All those rescued were assessed by ambulance crews for smoke inhalation and given treatment where required.

The fire investigation will take place today.