No reported casualties following fire at Distington

The fire which prompted a large-scale response has been put out and residents who left their homes can return safely.

Police have warned people that there may be some odour remaining following the fire. As such, people living nearby are asked to keep their windows and doors closed until this has dispersed.

There were no reported casualties and all road closures have been lifted. It is believed that the fire was caused by lithium batteries.

Ian Seel, area manager at Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We will continue to monitor the site over the next 24 hours but we can confirm the fire is now out.

“This incident caused a large level of disruption to those living nearby overnight. A swift multi-agency response was coordinated to keep people safe and tackle the fire.

“We’d like to thank the public who were impacted by this for their patience throughout.”

The fire was a large-scale vehicle fire in an industrial yard at Main Street, Distington.

The fire was reported at 11.31pm yesterday ( September 15 ), prompting road closures and other measures soon afterwards.

The response from local residents was huge, neighbours were offering spare beds to anyone who had been evacuated through social media, sending well wishes and making sure older nighbours were out safely. Other family members have been thanking residents for helping out their elderly family.

Distington ARL and CASC said on Facebook: "A big thank you to the emergency services for a quick response and attending to and tackling the Fire last night. These men and women from across all the services are worth their weight in gold, compromising their own safety by putting the safety of the surrounding residents first when evacuating the nearby homes."

"The community too responded in quick time by holding out their hands of kindness by opening their homes to those in need. The kettle was on in many households across our village with shelter and comfort provided to all including the most vulnerable at a time of uncertainty."

"The Community Centre and it's volunteers showed true community spirit and love opening up late in the evening and providing shelter, hot drinks and snacks and did so until the early hours of the morning until the all clear was given."

"All residents, community volunteers, agency's and the emergency Services that responded should be immensely proud of themselves for pulling together in such unforeseen, uncertain and pritty damn scary circumstances"

"We want to send our thoughts and best wishes to club sponsors and our friends at Tyson H Burridge at this difficult time and hope the effects of the fire aren't too damaging to the business. A company that has operated in Distington for many decades offering a fantastic service in the transport industry and a company that has supported our club and the community in so many different ways over the years."

"To everyone's relief and in the grand scheme of things no one was hurt and this is the most important thing after all."

Nicola Stephenson said: ""I was in the community centre all night serving refreshment once my Dad was safe. Everyone pulled together and certainly pulled the unity out of Community. The emergency services were first class"

The fire at Distington taken by resident Georgia (Image: Georgia Gilmore)

"In times of adversity there is one thing for sure, the community of Distington 1000 per cent pull together. Emergency services thank you!"

"Dean and Nichola thank you for making sure my dad got out of his house safe and to my house. Hope people’s homes and cars are damage free. Thoughts are with Tyson & Burridge and anyone else who has businesses within the grounds. Thanks everyone who come together to serve refreshments in the warm hub at The Community Centre."

Georgia Gilmore said: "My mam seen the smoke out the back of my window before the flames so I rang the fire engine to come at 11.29pm. I was on the phone for ages giving directions it was hectic last night. "

"I thought a post on the Distington page would help to inform people in other parts of Distington. The village done amazing to all pull together,  the village helped each other on Main Street and further away in the village opened their doors to let people in which was amazing and the community centre opened their doors too. It really does show how the village pulls together in these situations."