‘Resilient’ neighbours have banded together as a house fire ripped through multiple homes at 12:30am this morning.

Police, fire brigade and ambulances rushed to the scene of the fire and within minutes houses through the whole estate were being evacuated to nearby triage centres.

According to a resident Red Cottage Road was completely cordoned off and water was made available as they waited for further arrangements to be made.

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Red Cottage Road resident, Dawn Banks, 51 said: "It was scary, unnerving and everybody wanted to make sure everyone involved in the houses were okay. It's just amazing how quickly the fire spread.

"I dont know how big the damage is but you hear rumours that seven houses have been destroyed, some say four.

"It's scary for us just seeing it from out the back but also for just thinking about the people that live round there, it must be so terrifying for them, I can't even imagine it." 

Two hours after police were called, the building was deemed to be structurally safe and nearby residents were allowed to retrieve their cars.

Displaced residents were transferred to Calcot Infant School where refreshments and support was made available. Officials from the Housing Association were also present at the scene and at Calcot Infant School.

Banks added: “Everyone around here just seems very resilient and quite tough. I think it takes an awful lot to faze people around here which is quite nice.

“Everyone just seems to be banding together and trying to keep everyone’s energy up. There are a lot of kids and from what I understand one of the houses had a lot of kids in it. Most of the people that live around here is families.

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“There were quite a lot of kids and dogs at the school last night. I’m just grateful that everyone got out OK.”

Two fundraisers were set up this morning for victims of the fire.

Organiser Leigh Morris wrote: "Some have lost everything, please help raise some money for them to buy the everyday essentials they no longer have."

Following the evacuation, a resident said: “Our estate has been evacuated due to a house fire that spread amongst our houses. A lot of us stand here in our nightwear and some have lost everything.”

Emergency services have confirmed that two properties were affected directly from the fire.

Residents have applauded emergency services for their quick arrival and action during the blaze, and have said it was ‘mind blowing’ how many police, ambulances and fire crews that were present within minutes.