Blaze near A47 badly damages business units

2 hours ago

Owen Sennitt,in Blofieldand

Zoe Applegate,Norfolk

News image — Firefighters were sent to the blaze at the industrial site off High Noon Lane, Blofield, at about 05:30 BST

Owen Sennitt/BBC Two corrugated iron business units are charred and bent. There is a van parked next to them with smashed rear windows. — Firefighters were sent to the blaze at the industrial site off High Noon Lane, Blofield, at about 05:30 BST

An investigation is underway into the cause of a blaze which badly damaged a storage unit containing classic cars and sections of another motor firm, Norfolk Fire Service has said.

Eleven fire crews and support units were sent to an industrial site used by three car businesses, including Atlantic Truck and Van Centre, off High Noon Lane at Blofield, at about 05:30 BST.

Pillars of billowing smoke rising from the fire, close to the new stretch of the A47, distracted motorists and led to traffic delays.

Ryon Martin, North Earlham fire station manager, confirmed fire investigators had been at the scene, but there had been "no conclusions as of yet".

Owen Sennitt/BBC Ryon Martin wears a yellow fire fighter jacket with hi-vis stripes. He is standing in front of the industrial building and a fire engine in a rural location. — Norfolk Fire Service's Ryon Martin said firefighters had helped stop the blaze spreading across the whole site

The fire service added it was not yet known where the fire had started, but Atlantic Truck and Van Centre's sales office and workshop had been destroyed, alongside a separate business unit that stores classic cars.

A neighbour called 999 and Martin said it was "clear" at that point the fire was developing, so the service sent eight fire pumps, two water carriers and an aerial appliance.

Owen Sennitt/BBC A breezeblock building next to a corrugated iron business unit. They have been blackened and have got holes in them. A sign above a doorway says Sales Office. A yellow fire tape cordon is in front of the buildings. — Firefighters were due to return to the site on Wednesday to dampen down any hotspots

"We've managed to stop it spreading to the neighbouring commercial properties and the domestic dwelling and saved a lot of the vans and vehicles parked around the building," said Martin.

He added firefighters would return to the scene later on Wednesday to damp down any hotspots.

Norfolk Police has confirmed it also attended. The A47 was not closed during the incident.