Firefighters spent several hours tackling a large industrial fire in Andover overnight after dozens of 200-litre barrels became involved in the blaze.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was called to the incident at an industrial premises in Greenwich Way at around 11.18pm on Thursday, 13 August.
On arrival, crews found internal smoke and external fire damage to the side of the building and its fascias.
The fire involved 45 200-litre barrels of chemicals, with the fire service reporting that, at its peak, the affected area measured approximately 152 metres by 127 metres.
Firefighters worked through the night to bring the incident under control, using 14 sets of breathing apparatus, along with gas monitors and ground monitors.
Hampshire Constabulary and South Central Ambulance Service also attended and supported the emergency response.
Fire crews remained at the scene throughout the early hours of Friday morning, finally leaving at around 7.09am, almost eight hours after the initial call.
Firefighters then returned to the Greenwich Way site at 9am on Friday, 14 August, to carry out a reinspection following the overnight incident.
The fire came during a particularly busy period for local crews, with firefighters having also spent several hours tackling a field fire near Enham Alamein earlier on Thursday.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has not currently confirmed the cause of the Greenwich Way fire.
45 x 200-litre barrels? Barrels of what, the stench from the fire on Pilgrims Way was awful, not nice to breathe in and in this heat I had to close all windows because the smell was that bad. Would be good to know what it was in case the contents were dangerous to health?
Hi Don, The only information we got back was just “Chemicals” no other information. That was from Hampshire Fire & Rescue. I missed that word out on the article as I was awaiting confirmation. But have added now. Many Thanks.
Exactly I could smell it it was definitely acrid I love on Pilgrims Way not good for my COPD
Exactly I could smell it it was definitely acrid I live on Pilgrims Way not good for my COPD
Hi Don I could smell the awful smell on Pilgrims Way not very good for a Copd sufferer hence having to close the windows