FIRE ripped through a terraced cottage in Beacon Hill last week causing three homes to be evacuated. The cottage, in Grove Road, was gutted by the raging fire which started last Wednesday afternoon at around 5 pm. Seven firefighting appliances were sent from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. The fire was started by an electrical device in an upstairs bedroom. Tim Bentley, who lived in the property, said: "My wife was downstairs doing the washing when one of our neighbours alerted her to the flames from an upstairs window. "Everyone was quickly moved out of the cottage and there were no injuries." The two adjoining terraced homes in Grove Road have also been evacuated and their residents have moved out temporarily. Mr Bentley continued: "Now we just have to wait to find out if they are safe to move back into or whether all three will have to be pulled down. "It is devastating, we've lost a lot of our possessions, all of our clothes and bedding were destroyed and much of the downstairs has suffered water damage." A spokesman for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service added: "Pumps were sent from Grayshott, Liphook, Godalming and Guildford as well as an aerial ladder which was brought in from Chertsey to help with the cutting away of roof tiles. "The fire was under control by 9-41 pm and relief crews continued to check the site throughout the night." Eighty per cent of the first and second floors were damaged by fire and 50 per cent of the ground level suffered smoke and water damage. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is now warning people to be extra careful not to start fires and avoid serious damage during the hot weather. The head of community fire safety, Roger Wood, explained: "We want people to enjoy themselves in the hot weather, however we want to encourage people to take care and think about what they're doing. "For example, drivers should refrain from discarding cigarettes through car windows while driving along as this, combined with dry grass verges and hedgerows, can easily lead to fires, as can barbecues if care isn't taken. "At this time of year grass and crop fires are a serious problem for the service and tie up a huge amount of our valuable firefighting resources." Mr Wood is also concerned about children starting fires deliberately and causing serious damage. He added: "Another major problem for us is children deliberately setting fires so, if you are a parent, we urge you to warn them of the dangers of fire, as well as keeping matches and lighters out of their reach."
