Devon & Cornwall Live: As it happened

Police say a leisure centre in Exeter will be closed "for some time" following a large fire.

Speaking in a live online broadcast, Insp Mat Helm, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said the damage inside the Riverside Leisure Centre was "quite severe".

"The fire is still active up on the roof, aggressively punching holes in it," he said.

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Firefighters are battling to save Exeter's Riverside Leisure Centre, opened by Diana Princess of Wales and built in 1984.

The fire at Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter is still burning and firefighters are still on site.

At its peak 120 firefighters were working at the scene, 15 using breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.

Police have revealed that two gerbils, as well as up to 50 people, were evacuated after a fire broke out at a leisure centre in Exeter.

Insp Mat Helm said the two pets were rescued as the evacuations took place near the Riverside Leisure Centre.

Police in Exeter have paid tribute to staff at a nearby cafe.

The Marks & Spencer Cafe acted as an evacuation centre after the fire started at the Riverside Leisure Centre just after 16:15 today.

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Insp Mat Helm said: "The M&S cafe has been fantastic. It's probably the first time it was full of mostly naked people and they're probably hoping it will be the last."

He said it also served as a base for the South Western Ambulance HART (Hazardous Area Response Team).

Police said it was "very lucky" there was only a low number of injuries at a fire at Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter.

One customer sustained minor burns and a member of staff suffered smoke inhilation, Insp Mat Helm said. 

There are about 100 firefighters on site, with police resources from across Exeter and Mid Devon. 

Officers were drafted in from other areas to allow normal policing to continue in Exeter, Insp Helm added.

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• Fire crews were called to the building at 16:17
• The fire was initally reported in a first floor sauna, but spread to the roof
• A total of 15 fire appliances attended the scene
• About 20 people were evacuated from the swimming pool

• There are two reported injuries – one with minor smoke inhalation and one with a minor burn.  Both casualties were treated at the scene
• Residents of neighbouring buildings were asked to leave - some have returned
• In total up to 50 people have been evacuated from the centre

• The fire has now been downgraded from 'major incident' to 'critical'

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A fire at the Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter has been downgraded, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.

One-hundred firefighters remain at the site.

People from a house evacuated due to the fire have also been allowed to return home, the BBC has been told.

Two huge cranes are being used to survey the roof of the Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter after a fire broke out earlier this afternoon.  

At its height, more than 120 firefighters attended the blaze.

Two people have suffered minor injuries and up to 50 people have been evacuated from the centre.

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• Fire crews were called to the building at 16:17
• The fire was initally reported in a first floor sauna, but spread to the roof
• A total of 15 fire appliances attended the scene
• About 20 people were evacuated from the swimming pool
• Firefighters reported "a lot of smoke" coming from the building
• There are two reported injuries – one with minor smoke inhalation and one with a minor burn.  Both casualties were treated at the scene
• Residents of neighbouring buildings were asked to leave 
• In total up to 50 people have been evacuated from the centre

• A nearby Marks & Spencers cafe is acting as a reception centre 
• Some neighbourhood police officers have taken people home
• The South Western Ambulance HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) are providing assistance

Residents of a property next to a leisure centre in Exeter which is on fire have been asked to leave by police as a precaution.

Emergency services were called to the Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter, Devon, at about 16:20. Roads have been closed to allow emergency vehicles access to the scene, including around 15 fire appliances. 

About 20 people were evacuated from the swimming pool, which had become engulfed in smoke. 

Cornwall Council is investigating a Launceston care home amid allegations about the care it provides.

The home provides accommodation and services for up to 46 people with mental health needs, learning or physical disabilities.  

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Tributes are paid to a south Wales law student who died after an accident at a university halls of residence in Plymouth.

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