SUPPORT AFTER DEVASTATING FIRE

Erewash Borough Council is working with emergency services and support agencies to provide on-going help to those involved in the devastating fire at Springfield Mill in Sandiacre on Tuesday. A number of residents have found themselves homeless after the blaze and the council helped evacuate them to temporary accommodation last night for shelter. Residents’ medical needs were looked after first and there were no coronavirus issues reported. This morning (Wednesday) the council’s Housing Options team held a briefing with residents to keep them informed of what is happening. The team is now assessing all the families involved to see where accommodation can be found for them going forward and will meet them again this afternoon to reassure them and keep them up-to-date. Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says:

“Firstly, let me just say that our thoughts are with all those affected, this is a devastating time for them. Our priority – shared, of course by all the services involved – is to help make sure everyone is safe and looked after.

This is a large scale emergency support operation and our key aim right now is to find a solution for these families who have lost their homes. But there are other needs going forward in terms of the day-to-day essentials they now no longer have – these people have lost everything. Again, we will work with our partners and I know that there is already an initiative for donations launched by the local community. I would also like to add our thanks to the emergency services who responded so swiftly and especially to the firefighters who were able to contain what was a terrifying blaze and save a large part of this historic building.”

Throughout the battle to get the fire under control, the council’s Building Control team were also at the scene to help with structural advice. Springfield Mill is a historic former lace mill that was converted into apartments several years ago.