Fire started in workshop before spreading to homes
A large fire in Metheringham on Thursday afternoon has rendered two neighbouring semi‑detached houses uninhabitable and damaged several outbuildings. The incident on Alfred Avenue was reported shortly before 15:00 BST, and five crews from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service were sent to tackle the blaze.
Fire service officers said the blaze is thought to have begun in a garden workshop and then spread to the adjacent properties. There were no reports of injuries. Two families have been moved to alternative accommodation while the scale of the damage is assessed.
"Our crews have done a fantastic job in the initial stages to stop the fire spreading but, unfortunately, both houses were on fire on arrival," said Helen Gridley, divisional commander at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue. "However, we have managed to stop it spreading to neighbouring properties. The main thing for us is that everybody is safe."
Local response and immediate impact
Residents on Alfred Avenue were evacuated and emergency personnel secured the scene. Firefighters concentrated on preventing the fire from reaching further nearby homes and extinguishing flames in outbuildings that had become involved.
- Time reported: shortly before 15:00 BST
- Crews: five Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue crews attended
- Properties affected: two semi‑detached houses and numerous outbuildings
- Injuries: none reported
- Displacement: two families rehoused
What this means for neighbours and homeowners
Although crews prevented the blaze from spreading beyond the immediate pair of homes, the fire service has warned that the two houses are damaged beyond habitable conditions. Officers will ensure the scenes are left secure, but those evacuated should expect to remain away while recovery and investigation work continue.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Garden workshop (believed) |
| Attending units | Five fire crews |
| Immediate outcome | Two houses uninhabitable; neighbouring properties saved |
Local people have expressed relief that no one was hurt and praise for firefighters' swift action. The council and emergency services typically provide support for rehousing and recovery in such cases; anyone affected should contact their local authority or the emergency services for advice on next steps.
Further inquiries are expected as inspectors and investigators assess the cause and full extent of the damage. We will update this report as more information becomes available from the fire service or local agencies.
