Historic Shrewsbury Fire Claims Life And Displaces Residents

In the early hours of January 27, 2026, the historic heart of Shrewsbury was shaken by a devastating fire that tore through Perches House, a 16th-century building located on Windsor Place near Castle Street. The blaze, which erupted at approximately 3:30 AM, claimed the life of an elderly woman in her 80s and led to the evacuation of numerous residents from the surrounding area. The incident, which authorities have described as a "significant fire," prompted a massive emergency response and left the local community grappling with loss and disruption.

According to reports from BBC News and Metro, police, fire and ambulance crews arrived at the scene within minutes of the initial call. Firefighters managed to retrieve the elderly woman from the property, but despite the best efforts of medics, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A man was also found with injuries, though they were not considered serious or life-threatening. "Sadly one person has died in the fire which started in the early hours of this morning and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this tragic time," said Superintendent Helen Kinrade for Shropshire, as quoted by Birmingham Live.

The fire broke out in a ground-floor flat of Perches House, a building steeped in history and even featured as Ebenezer Scrooge’s office in the 1984 film A Christmas Carol. The age and structure of the building posed unique challenges for emergency crews. Alec Thomas, temporary head of service delivery at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, told the BBC, "Crews got to the scene in four minutes, and the fire was well-developed on arrival. In total, fire engines were sent from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, we also had support from other appliances from neighbouring fire services because we needed two aerial appliances to tackle the fire from above, as the fire had spread to the roof."

At the height of the emergency, ten fire engines, a hazardous area response team, an ambulance, three paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma team, and a critical care paramedic were dispatched. The scale of the response reflected both the intensity of the blaze and the risk to the densely populated residential area. Several neighboring properties were affected, and residents were evacuated for their safety. Many were taken to Shrewsbury’s Guildhall, where they received support and updates from authorities.

Local resident Mel Evans recounted the harrowing experience to the BBC: "We had the police knocking on our door this morning at about half past four, evacuating us from our building because there was a fire nearby, and they needed to get people out. We were taken to an office nearby to get in the warm and the dry, and the police have been very good at keeping us updated. I think they were scared the fire was going to spread, but they managed to get on top of it quite quickly." Fellow resident Rebecca Lee echoed hopes of returning to her home by lunchtime, a testament to the swift action of emergency services.

Shropshire Council moved quickly to set up an emergency phone number for those unable to contact relatives or friends who had been evacuated. The council’s emergency housing team worked through the morning to ensure that over ten affected residents had shelter and support. Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council and mayor of Shrewsbury, told the BBC, "It's a tragedy, and Shrewsbury is one of these places where people know each other, I've already had messages from people with connections to the deceased, so our thoughts and all of our condolences are with the family. The teams here couldn't have done more from what we can see."

The fire is not currently being treated as suspicious, but a thorough investigation has been launched by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to determine the exact cause. A spokesperson for West Mercia Police stated, "A critical incident had been declared, and the cause of the fire, which was not being treated as suspicious, was being investigated by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service." The police have maintained a cordon around the affected area, and surrounding roads remain closed as a precaution. The public has been advised to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate safely.

The impact of the incident has been felt beyond the immediate vicinity of Castle Street. Local businesses, such as the Shrewsbury Orthodontic Centre, issued travel alerts to patients, advising them to allow extra time for journeys due to road closures. Public transport, including bus and train stations, continued to operate, but with diversions and delays in place. Shropshire Council emphasized the seriousness of the event, describing it as a "major incident" and urging residents to stay clear of the area until further notice.

Fire crews remained on the scene for much of the day, working to ensure the fire was fully contained and assessing the safety of the structure. Alec Thomas noted that neighboring properties were being evaluated and that the fire service was "slowly engaging with them to let them know the state of their property and when they can get back in." He also took the opportunity to remind the public of the importance of smoke alarms, stating, "We urge the public to test their smoke alarms."

The tragedy has brought into sharp focus the vulnerability of historic buildings to fire and the challenges faced by emergency responders in such situations. Perches House, with its centuries-old timber and unique architectural features, presented a particularly difficult environment for firefighting efforts. The community’s response—marked by cooperation, swift action, and compassion—has been widely praised. As Alex Wagner put it, "Shropshire Council's emergency housing team were up first thing this morning… making sure there was provision for them, we've been looking after them as best as we can, there were a reasonable number, over 10 or so affected."

Chief Constable Richard Cooper of West Mercia Police summed up the mood of the emergency services and the town: "It had been a significant fire and I expect the emergency services to remain at the scene for some time. Unless you have an absolute need to go to that location, don't go."

As the investigation continues and the community begins to recover, the events of January 27 will be remembered for the loss suffered, the professionalism of the emergency response, and the resilience of Shrewsbury’s residents. The historic streets may bear scars for some time, but the spirit of the town endures.