FIRE crews from across Surrey and into Sussex raced to Chiddingfold Surgery at 3.34am this morning (Jan 7) to battle a large fire.

Surrey Police closed Ridgley Road and residents of neighbouring homes had to be evacuated due to the intensity of the blaze, which destroyed most of the building.

The GP practice, which treats patients across a wide area extending from Milford to Dunsfold, and Lurgashall, is advising patients who require a doctor in an emergency to call NHS111.

Chiddingfold resident Jane Devlin was horrified by what she saw when she turned up at the surgery for an appointment at around 9am this morning.

Mrs Devlin said: “Part of the timber arch was still alight. This is devastating for the village. We feel as a community we own this facility because we all contributed to the cost of building the new surgery on a new site in 2000 and it’s always been so friendly and welcoming.

“Residents living opposite had to be evacuated because the flames were twice the height of the building. It must have been very frightening.”

A Surrey Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “The building was 100 per cent damaged by fire. LPG cylinders were involved. The gas supply has been isolated.

“Three crews from Guildford attended, also crews from Haslemere, Godalming, Cranleigh, Painshill, Leatherhead and Petworth.”

*See Thursday’s Herald for full report