Henley College fire: Fire service's statement in FULL after Coventry blaze

have requested further support to tackle a blaze at an abandoned college.

The at Henley College in the Potter's Green area of Coventry broke out at around 7.15pm on Tuesday night. People were urged to to protect themselves as smoke billowed into the sky.

Initially, West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) called for more crews due to the "size and scale of the fire". They remain at the scene, a former site of Henley College, which has been an important institution since the 1960s. It has been used for filming purposes in recent years, and emergency services training exercises.

Everyone is accounted for, reports WMFS, which was at the scene within four minutes. The service now has at least 75 firefighters in attendance.

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The latest WMFS statement reads: "At around 7.15pm on Tuesday 29 April, Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control received a number of calls about a large fire on Henley Road, Coventry.

"Upon approach to the incident, initial crews requested additional fire engines to attend given the size and scale of the fire. Fifteen fire engines, which includes three hydraulic platforms, have been mobilised and are working hard to extinguish the fire in a complex five-storey building. Everyone is accounted for.

"We have had support from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service and . Henley Road is closed between Parcel Road and Deedmore Road.

"We anticipate being on site for some time due to the complexity of the site and fire, and nearby residents and businesses are asked to close their windows and doors and stay away from the area to allow our fire crews to manage the incident and bring it to as quick a conclusion as we are able to."

Former MP Colleen Fletcher, who represented Labour for Coventry North East until last year, attended Henley College, which was established in 1964. It merged in 2017 with City College to become Coventry College but the site near Potter's Green hasn't been used for some time.

Darius Vassell and Chris Kirkland, former England footballers, also attended Henley College, whose graduation ceremonies were held at Coventry Cathedral in the heart of the city. More than 6,000 students attend Coventry College now, though most of these use modern facilities in the Swanswell area of the city.

Last week, residents in Greenhithe, Kent, were warned to . Heavy smoke billowed into the night's sky after the blaze, to which Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze by worried residents in the riverside village.