The biggest emergency evacuation seen in York for years was today praised as a huge success.

A woman makes an urgent call on her mobile phone at the evacuation centre at Canon Lee School

More than 300 people were moved from their homes to Canon Lee School, as it took on its role as a city emergency centre.

Years of training for school and council staff came into effect as the only major evacuation seen in John Simmons' two years of experience as City of York Council's emergency planning co-ordinator was carried out.

Mr Simmons said: "While the fire service dealt with the immediate problem, we worked to move about 300 people behind the cordon and out of the affected area.

"About 200-plus found their own arrangements but we had between 80 and 100, particularly the elderly, who stayed at Canon Lee overnight."

He said that Canon Lee was one of 26 emergency reception centres dotted across York at schools, leisure centres and other council premises, which were prepared for such civil emergencies.

"We had to give immediate shelter, food and warmth and it worked very smoothly. The people were very patient and very neighbourly and we have been impressed by their reaction."

Mr Simmons said some of the elderly evacuees had been through the war but had said this was the first time they had ever had to be evacuated from their homes.

"People were very shaken by their experiences on arrival. But people were very stoic and good humoured. There was a high level of relief that there were no serious injuries."

He said canteen staff and WRVS workers came into the school to provide tea and biscuits and hot toast and later laid on a hot breakfast for people before they left to return to their homes. 'There was a wonderful spirit. It was like the Blitz all over again. These people had had quite an horrendous shock seeing a major fire right outside their windows.'

Kevin Deadman, head teacher of Canon Lee School

Canon Lee's caretaker, Dave Johnson, opened the school doors as soon as he heard the centre was needed.

Canteen and support staff joined representatives of Transco and the emergency services in helping the 300 evacuees.

Head teacher, Kevin Deadman, said: "This was the first time that school staff had put their emergency training into practice and it has gone extremely smoothly.

"Some of the kitchen staff live locally and saw the flames and came straight here.

"The classrooms were filled with mats, the library had a television, and the dining hall was open.

"There was a wonderful spirit. It was like the Blitz all over again. These people had had quite an horrendous shock seeing a major fire right outside their windows, but they were extremely sensible and co-operative."

Julie Clipperton told today how she returned to her home in Keats Close last night to find her husband David had fled the property with their two children ten month old David, and four year old Laura.

"He had heard the explosion and they came and knocked on the door to say he had to get out," she said. "The bairns were asleep, and he had to wake them up and take them away."

She said she spent about 40 minutes trying to find where her husband and children were. "It was a bit fraught," she said.

She said the family had spent the night at her mother's, with the children more excited than scared about their experience.

Laura had only started school on Monday, said Mrs Clipperton. "She isn't going today."

She said that the electricity supply to her home had been cut off as well as the gas, and the family would not be able to return home until these had been restored and the heating could be put back on. It's been a bit of a nightmare" she said.

See also:

Wall of flame

City residents left stunned by blaze

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