'Extensive' damage after fire breaks out at internet exchange in Hemsworth

Homes have been left without internet and phone lines after a blaze at a telephone exchange in Hemsworth.
Homes have been left without internet and phone lines after a blaze at a telephone exchange in Hemsworth. Stock image.Homes have been left without internet and phone lines after a blaze at a telephone exchange in Hemsworth. Stock image.
Homes have been left without internet and phone lines after a blaze at a telephone exchange in Hemsworth. Stock image.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called shortly before 11pm yesterday (Sunday, March 21) to reports of a fire at a building on Westfield Road, Hemsworth.

Crews from South Kirkby, Featherstone, Pontefract and Normanton attended to discover the 40 by 20m site had been completely engulfed in flames.

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Three large jets and one aerial appliance were used to tackle the fire, and a fire investigation officer also attended.

It is understood the fire broke out at a telephone exchange, and has left a number of customers without phone lines or internet this morning.

In a tweet, internet provider Sky said: "The Exchange has suffered extensive physical damage due to a fire and our engineers will begin work to restore services as soon the exchange has been made safe for repair work to be carried out."

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