Storm Ciara causes chaos as it rolls into the area
STORM Ciara caused chaos when it rolled into the area this week.
Part of a roof was blown off at Granger Court in Oxford Street, Loughborough, and fire crews attended on Sunday morning to make it safe.
A house caught fire in Castle Donington on Sunday. It was reported locally that the fire was the result of a lightning strike. However, that has not been confirmed by the fire service.
Two fire crews were sent to the property, in Bondgate, at 1.05pm.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the building to tackle the blaze.
The occupants of the house had managed to flee the building before the fire crews arrived.
“No-one was in the building when we arrived,” said a fire service spokeswoman at the time.
“We are dealing with a fire on the first floor of the house.”
Crews from Castle Donington and Long Eaton, in Derbyshire, have attended the incident.
It is believed no-one was hurt in the incident.
Fire crews also dealt with some unsafe chimney pots in Kegworth and roof tiles hanging off a building in Oxford Street, Loughborough.
The A42 was closed in both directions for hours due to gantry signs damaged by winds. The stretch of road affected was between Junction 13 for Ashby and Junction 23a of the M1 near East Midlands Airport.
Three flights at East Midlands Airport were cancelled and others were delayed.
Rail passengers suffered major disruption as trains in and out of London via Leicester and Loughborough were delayed and cancelled due to flooded tracks and a blocked line between Bedford and St Pancras.
The Outwoods was also closed on Sunday due to branches being down and a clear-up taking place. Queen’s Park in Loughborough was also closed to the public.
Leicestershire County Council highways’ teams worked round-the-clock in response to the effects of Storm Ciara.
The council said it had received more than 60 reports relating to storm damage to trees across the county, with a number of road closures necessary.
A spokesperson said: “We’re also continuing to advise that drivers should check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys and consider if their journey is necessary and can be delayed until conditions improve.
“If you do intend to travel, then plan your journey and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey. In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down.”
The county council’s recycling and household waste sites across the county, including Loughborough, were closed on Sunday as a result of the high winds.