Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service Press Release
Chaxhill fire - latest

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is still dealing with a serious fire at a petrol filling station in the Forest of Dean.

Crews were called out at just after 3am this morning to the fire, which broke out at the Texaco garage on the A48 at Chaxhill.

The blaze affected the shop, garage and workshop, which were severely alight when the service arrived.

Two crews from Cinderford and two from Gloucester attended as well as the aerial appliance and the water carrier. Two crews remain on the scene.

Firefighters discovered an acetylene (gas) cylinder in the workshop, and their efforts have been concentrated on cooling the cylinder.

The A48 has been closed off between Elton Corner and Chaxhill and nearby residents have been evacuated as a precaution.

Thirty-five people living at a nearby residential home were taken to Minsterworth Village Hall where volunteers from the WRVS were on hand to help.

Temporary overnight accommodation has now been found.

The road is likely to remain closed for a considerable time, between 12 and 24 hours, as crews remain on the scene cooling the cylinder.

Drivers are advised to avoid the A48 entirely and use the A40 to get in and out of the Forest. Diversions inside the cordon area are along Goose Lane, Rodley Road and Stantway Lane.

Incident commander, Derek Cross said: “We are now in a holding position as the fire is under control, but we will remain on the scene for some time.

“We have been cooling the acetylene cylinder for several hours, but we will need to continue doing this for anything between 12 and 24 hours.

“This is just a precaution, but we are not able to re-open the road or allow the residents back into their homes until we are sure that it is safe.”

Further updates will be issued throughout the day

CONTACT:
Issued by Lisa Bonnell, Gloucestershire County Council's Media Team
Tel: 01452 425226

29th May 2009