Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service News Update

Fire & Rescue Service tackle overnight blaze in Gloucester
- Update 6:30am, Monday 8th June 2009

Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service have been tackling a severe fire overnight at a disused factory just off the Bristol Road in Gloucester.

Fire crews from Gloucester were called to the blaze on Sunday evening and worked through the night to fight the fire at the unoccupied site on Ashville Road.

Crews managed to rescue the factory unit and prevent fire spreading to nearby businesses, including Avon Metals, but an office block has been destroyed.

10 pumps and 2 aerial appliances attended the scene, where a 2 storey office block was fully alight and warehouse buildings were under threat of further fire damage.

Station Manager Richard Smith praised the work of crews at the scene, he said: “This was a serious fire and when crews arrived the office block was already ablaze. Fortunately the factory site is unoccupied, and crews worked hard to tackle the main fire, and protect other buildings. I would like to praise the work of firefighters at the scene, who successfully managed to protect nearby businesses. We are treating the fire as suspicious.”

Fire investigators have now been called to the scene and the police will be on site on Monday morning.

The 2 storey office block was completely destroyed by fire.

Ends

Notes for Editors

• The scene is closed off and is being treated as a crime scene, therefore no access is available for photographers or reporters. Investigators are expected by about 9am. Please contact the Press Office for futher information.
  

CONTACT:
Issued by Nicola Davies, Gloucestershire County Council's Media Team
Tel: 01452 425226

8th June 2009