Posted: 17:48, July 13, 2022
An industrial unit was left gutted in a major blaze that left 75 firefighters tackling it.
Crews were called to the fire at Fengate Drove in Weeting, near Brandon, at around 2pm today, where large plumes of smoke could be seen from Stoke Ferry and Wereham 10 miles away.
The fire has spread to a number of other buildings from the one where the fire started, in which there are construction materials.
Buildings gutted to the ground can be seen on the scene.
Fire crews attend the scene of a fire at a commercial building in Brandon. – Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
However, firefighters say they accomplished their primary goal of preventing the fire from spreading to the Harvest Center Church next door to the burning building.
Incident Commander Paul Seaman said: “From Norfolk and Suffolk we have 75 personnel on site, including specialist equipment such as an aerial ladder platform and some of them will remain on site for several hours.
Fire crews attend the scene of a fire at a commercial building in Brandon. Paul Seaman – Head of Response at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. – Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
“When the first crews arrived, there was a significantly growing fire covering about 50% of the site.”
They added that there is now no greater risk to the public, adding that they expect to reduce efforts in the next few hours.
No one was injured in the flames.
Fire crews attend the scene of a fire at a commercial building in Brandon. – Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
Police were also called to the scene to assist fire crews, along with UK Power Networks who checked the site was safe and an ambulance crew was also on standby but was not used.
A man who works in the industrial estate but did not want to be named said: “There are so many people standing around watching, everyone in the area has got out of their cars.
The fire is believed to be at an industrial unit in Fengate Drove – Credit: Sarah Hussain
“The flames are 15 feet high.”
Those who were in the area at the time said it sounded like fireworks, with one person noting that they initially thought it was the Weeting Steam Rally.
Fire crews attend the scene of a fire at a commercial building in Brandon. – Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
Connor Jordan, who is visiting his mum in the area, said: “We heard what sounded like fireworks and the dogs were barking mad, we went outside and saw the smoke and a massive explosion and smoke.
“It’s just a shock really, everyone is very close here. There is disbelief, nothing like this really happens.
Smoke billows from the building near Brandon. – Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
Another woman, who lives in the area and wished to remain anonymous, added: “At first I heard some banging and thought it was the steam rally but it went on for too long.”
Fengate Drove is closed while emergency services attend the incident – Credit: Sarah Hussain
Fire crews will remain on site overnight.
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