On the evening of September 24, an explosion at Groundwell Industrial Park in the town of Swindon, Southwest England, triggered an emergency response overnight, with dozens of fire trucks mobilized to put out the fire.
The explosion occurred at around 7:30 p.m. (local time), shaking a house in the area. The authorities have urgently evacuated the entire industrial park and blocked many neighboring roads due to concerns about the fire spreading.
The Dorset - Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) deploys at least 12 fire trucks and specialized vehicles, including fire extinguishers and water tankers.
The witness said the warehouse quickly sank into a sea of fire just minutes after the explosion. The video circulating online shows a hot hot hot air balloon glowing up over the night sky, followed by a column of thick black smoke covering north of Swindon.
Wiltshire police called it a serious incident and set up a wide blockade. People are advised to stay indoors and close windows due to toxic smoke.
According to an update at 10:40 p.m. (local time) from DWFRS, the fire was not completely controlled, leaving investigators unable to access the scene to determine the cause.
Swindon local council confirmed that the emergency response team coordinated with police and firefighters. We are investigating the cause, determining who was injured and ensuring a safe area, said Jim Robbins, a council leader.
Although there have been no reports of casualties, the incident left about 80 households without power, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
