Explosions as blaze destroys garage workshop
A huge fire destroyed a building at a business on the outskirts of Welshpool today.
Dozens of firefighters tackled the blaze which started as a vehicle fire and engulfed a motor workshop building at Border Garage Welshpool Ltd.
Police closed part of Newtown Road at around 8.30am this morning amid fears for public safety following two reported explosions.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze, which destroyed the building, has been launched by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Nigel Jones and Jack Richards, who jointly own the petrol station, store and motor business, spoke of their shock over the blaze.
The duo have worked from the site for six-years and Mr Jones said that this was the first fire they had experienced.
Mr Jones, 41, of Oswestry, said: "The main thing is no one was hurt. I got to work this morning and the fire was still going.
"It is a real shock for us and we have no idea what could have caused it so we will have to wait and see.
"There were a couple of cars parked in the workshop. We do MOT testing in there usually but no one was in there at the time and no one has been hurt."
Police closed Newtown Road between Powis Castle Junction and Sarn y Bryn Caled roundabout.
The road had reopened by midday.
A Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said they tackled the fire defensively and that a couple of explosions had been reported.
Six fire appliances attended the scene and Dyfed Powys Police were alerted about the blaze by fire crews.
Mr Jones added: "It looks completely destroyed and we will have to rebuild it.
"We are keeping positive and it will be business as usual for us. We've got the petrol station, the store and the workshop and we also have the motor business where we rent cars and vans. You never expect anything like this to happen. "
Crews battled the blaze for several hours
