Delay in tackling blaze criticised after extensive damage caused to homes

Arsonists are being blamed for the fire in the early hours of yesterday at Blisland Close, on Hull’s Bransholme estate, which started in a bin shed and swept through four homes.

The fire was eventually halted by firefighters making a breach in the roof, separating the end two properties.

A hydraulic platform took 50 minutes to come from Bridlington, because the one in Hull was in for a routine service.

Several householders were uninsured. Ward councillor Phil Webster said people were “absolutely devastated” and questions had to be asked: “I think it is unforgivable that they have been asked to do the job without the available machinery.

“Why didn’t they hire a platform or have one on stand-by? People are absolutely distraught. When the first call went out the shed was on fire and they stood there and watched their houses burn.”

A spokesman for Humberside Fire and Rescue said: “Although it took 50 minutes, in the meantime the firefighters worked really hard to keep the incident to a minimum. They worked really well and managed to save two of the properties.”