A MAN was taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a ground floor flat at Holly Gardens, Thorneywood, on Saturday night.
Notts Police say the fire, reported just after 10pm, was started when paint thinner caught fire and spread out of control while the man was decorating at a house that has been converted into three flats.
Around 20 residents came out of neighbouring homes after seeing the smoke, and described their shock as the flames burst out of the house.
Pete Borrows and his son Anthony were watching a film when they heard the commotion. They ran out of their house next to the flats and called the fire brigade.
Mr Borrows, 46, said: "At first we thought it was a bonfire or a barbecue. The flames were still roaring out the windows – it was quite intense."
He added: "It was totally gutted, the there was nothing left at all."
Simon Reast, who lives opposite the flat, was also watching television when he heard the noise and immediately called the emergency services.
He said: "When I came to look there were flames coming out the window. There was a lot of smoke.
"I'm just glad it wasn't early in the morning. I was concerned about our house because the fire was so big."
The 50-year-old father of two added: "It's lucky. A young couple with a baby had just moved out of the top flat three weeks ago."
Gary Thorogood-Page also lives on the road and took a video of the flames.
He said: "There was a black cloud and looking out we could see the flames and smoke."
The 45-year-old architect and father of one added: "I jumped up and ran into the road – it was so smoky. One of the lads [who lived in the flat] tried to go back in.
"The windows all blew and flames were licking up the walls. It started at about 10pm and lasted until 2am."
Notts Fire and Rescue said the ground floor property was left "severely damaged".
Everyone in the building was accounted for and police are not treating the incident as suspicious.
