Fire destroys pallets on Telford industrial estate

Flames reached 30 feet into the air as a huge fire destroyed 600 wooden pallets on a Telford industrial estate.

Fire chiefs said the blaze on Halesfield 8 was started by embers from a nearby bonfire being blown on to stacks of cardboard and the pallets.

It also damaged shrubs and trees when it broke out at 3.30pm yesterday.

A Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "There were about 600 pallets that were on fire as well as various other items which were ignited from the embers of a bonfire.

"Someone had been burning rubbish in the area and unfortunately the wind blew some of the embers onto the pallets and cardboard that was stacked up nearby and started the fire.

"The heat also brought up all the tar out of the road. There were 30-foot flames and because of the winds it became a vortex sending embers on to grass and trees as well, starting more fires."

Crews from Tweedale fire station and Telford attended the scene.

Members of Telford & Wrekin Council's highways teams also attended the scene but it is understood the road will not need resurfacing.

James Day, 40, of High Town, Bridgnorth, director of Leisure Marketing Midlands Ltd, said: "At the Maddock Roundabout I could see the smoke and flames licking off the trees. You could feel the searing heat on your face."