GAZETTE & HERALD: FLAMES ripped through Forest Lane Nursery, Pewsham, on Tuesday leaving more than 70 children without childcare and the adjoining veterinary surgery in ruins.

Firefighters say a sheet of flames hid the roof of the single-storey brick building when they arrived at 1.48am.

The roof collapsed and the heat was so intense the 18 firefighters were unable to enter the building and had to tackle the blaze, which gutted the nursery and the surgery, from outside.

But the community has rallied around the beleaguered nursery with friends and neighbours offering toys and even alternative premises to help it get back on its feet.

Shirley Hill, the owner of New Road Nursery, has offered temporary places at her busy nursery to help out desperate working mothers with nowhere else to turn to for their childcare.

Rosemary Ballard, the owner of Forest Lane Nursery, said she was devastated, by the fire, which started in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but hoped to reopen even if it was only in temporary premises next week.

In a statement Mrs Ballard, said: "My initial reaction is relief that no-one was hurt in this incident.

"I would like to apologise to all the children and parents of Forest Nursery, and to our neighbours, for the disruption and inconvenience this has caused them.

"Our immediate concern is to find alternative childcare arrangements for the 70 children who come to us each week.

"I and my team will be liaising with parents and the authorities in the next few days.

"Thirdly, this is, of course, a devastating event for me and the dedicated staff team past and present who have worked so hard since we opened in 1995 to make Forest Nursery a thriving business and part of the local community.

"However, we are determined that the nursery will continue and our desire is to re-open as soon as possible."

Wynn Walters, who is a partner at Walters and McFadyen, which own the veterinary surgery next door to the nursery, said there were no animals in the building when the fire struck.

He said the ten-year-old branch is very popular in Pewsham, but patients have been temporarily transferred to the firm's Chippenham branch while it is out of action.

Neighbour Beverley Smithers, 48, of Fortune Way, said she was asleep when her husband woke her up at 2am to tell her the surgery was in flames.

"It was very scary," she said. "At first I could see some flames coming out of the roof, but within five minutes the whole roof was ablaze.

"There was lots of smoke and the flames were very high.

"The nursery is very happy and well attended, as is the vets.

"They are both important parts of the community, which I think is clear from the number of people who have come here this morning to offer their support.

"It's unbelievable really."

There was some concern from neighbours that some chemicals set alight in the vets' surgery might cause poisonous fumes, but sub-officer Dave Jacomb said the heat from the blaze was so intense that the risk was minimal.

Firefighters finally left Pewsham at 7.15am. The cause of the blaze is still being investigated, but it is thought it may have been triggered by an electrical fault.

PR consultant John Oliver, 42, of Willis Close, whose three-year-old son Max attends the nursery full time, said: "We were woken up around 2am by a loud crash and were shocked when we saw what was happening.

"Fortunately, I have been able to work from home so I can look after Max, and I know Rosemary is determined to be up and running again as soon as possible.

"Max loves going there and has loads of friends that he's missing already."