If you’re a resident or a business that has been directly affected by the fire in Paignton’s Torbay Road then help and advice is available at Paignton Library until 5pm today and from 9.30am until 4pm tomorrow. If you are unable to drop in to see our Housing Options team then you can call 01803 208723 today or 01803 701318 on Saturday.

Our building control, housing options, emergency planning and housing standards teams all responded to the emergency last night and we helped accommodate 6 people in the Travelodge following the fire. Numerous others were evacuated and found alternative accommodation themselves. Thank you to Wetherspoons pub which provided shelter, food and drink to those affected and to the Red Cross for offering welfare support. Your help is appreciated.

A stretch of Torbay Road between Parkside Road and Garfield Road remains closed and the road behind the site of the fire is shut until further notice. However the shops opposite are open for business and are welcoming shoppers. If you do pay the area a visit please be careful, and for your own safety only use areas open for access as there is the risk of flying debris in the windy weather, which is expected to continue over the weekend.

A decision on road closures, diversions and who can return to their properties will be made in due course following the necessary assessments.

Torbay's Elected Mayor, Gordon Oliver, said: "We're all very grateful that there were no injuries sustained as a result of the fire and I'm pleased that the Council was able to help provide emergency accommodation for all those that needed it last night. I'd like to pass on my grateful thanks to all those involved in the early response to the fire and in particular the emergency services for the excellent job they have undertaken in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances."