Witnesses also reported seeing a resident jump from a second-story window to escape the flames. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has declared a serious incident after the fire tore through the roof of the building. Police and ambulance services are also at the scene in the city’s Redwood Grove. Witnesses described hearing an explosion at the 20-apartment block of flats earlier this morning (Monday 4 July). The fire engulfed the entire three-story building and caused a large part of the roof to collapse. Building in Redwood Grove destroyed by fire Credit: ITV News Anglia Police say two people were taken to hospital and one with serious injuries was taken to Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge. The police, fire and ambulance services all remain in attendance. Adam Fisher said he heard a “huge explosion” before witnessing “an inferno”. The 37-year-old salesman, whose office is nearby, said: “There was a huge explosion – everyone went to our work car park to see what was happening. Our building is next to the apartment complex – immediately an inferno (was) visible, a huge cloud of smoke billowing, people screaming and people frantically calling for emergency services .” Another said: “I heard the explosion from my house around the corner. I went into town and saw the flames and also saw someone jump out of the second floor window while the flames were coming out.” Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire at Redwood Grove was caused by a gas explosion. It said in a statement: “Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are currently attending to a large gas explosion in Redwood Grove, Bedford. There are currently 6 appliances, 2 water mains, an incident command unit on scene. Footage shared on social media showed flames shooting out of what users described as a block of flats as fire engines doused the fire with water. An Emergency Assistance Center has been set up at The John Bunyan Center in Bedford for evacuees who need support. An adjacent apartment building has also been evacuated.
