Epsom's firefighters have faced an "absolutely crazy" night rescuing stranded travellers, putting out house fires and making flooded homes safe in the aftermath of last night's storm.

Firefighter Ian Carey said the station's crew dealt with 15 incidents since it came on duty at 6pm yesterday, as heavy train and strong wind battered Epsom and Ewell.

He said: "It's been one hell of a night. It's been absolutely crazy.

"There's been lots and lots of flooding, houses mainly. Many a car stuck in flood water in dangerous conditions. There have been lots of trees down all over the county."

Mr Carey said the crew was called to a house fire in Gainsborough Road, Epsom, at 12.25am this morning, which had spread to another four properties.

The fire was controlled quickly by firefighters and everyone inside the house was rescued. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

At 3.45am they were called to rescue six adults and a baby who were stuck in flood water in two vehicles on the A217 Brighton Road by Lower Kingswood.

Mr Carey said many of the other incidents attended by Epsom's crew during the night have involved making flooded homes safe in order to prevent any electrical fires occurring.

Although many trees have come down in roads across Surrey, Epsom fire station has not yet dealt with any in the Epsom and Ewell area, he added.

 

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