The fire, which started around noon on Wednesday, June 26, was visible from miles away. Workers, including those welding on the roof, were present as part of the active construction project.
Emergency services, including the South East Coast Ambulance Service and its Hazardous Area Response Team, responded to the incident.
Four people were checked for smoke inhalation. One of them was taken to St Peter's Hospital for more treatment.
Developers Fairview New Homes said an investigation is ongoing to find out why some nearby residents reported hearing a loud bang, which they thought was gas canisters exploding.
Nearby, people at the Staines Community Centre were safely evacuated, and all residents were accounted for, according to Spelthorne Borough Council.
Fairview developers said their construction team informed them about the fire at the Rivertown development.
In 2022, the development was approved to build 206 one- and two-bedroom flats on the site of the former Masonic Lodge and Telephone Exchange on Elmsleigh Road.
The site was sold to Fairview after the original developers, Inland Homes, won an appeal against Spelthorne Borough Council's refusal.
The new flats were supposed to be ready in June this year, but the date had already been pushed to November before the fire happened. The apartments are priced at around £310,000.
A spokesperson for Fairview said: "Around noon today, our construction team alerted us to a fire on the roof of one of the buildings at the Staines construction site. The fire started during welding work on the roof but has now been put out.
"The Fire Brigade was immediately informed, and the entire construction site was evacuated as per standard procedures. One worker was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. The building, which is still under construction, was not occupied.
"We want to thank the Fire Brigade for their quick and efficient response and apologize to the residents and businesses of Staines for any worry or inconvenience caused."
SOURCE: hello rayo