Investigations into cause of fire that destroyed business park building

Police and fire service investigation teams have been at the scene of the fire on the Wem Business Park which broke out shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

West Mercia Police has urged people who may have information to contact them.

The fire service said that six fire crews were able to contain the blaze to one building on the business park in New Street, protecting the surrounding units in an operation lasting several hours.

Firefighters have been praised for working throughout the night to bring the challenging fire under control.

No one was hurt, but it is thought thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused, while half the town was left without power for the morning.

Both Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police confirmed that fire investigation and forensic officers had been at the scene.

A police spokesman said: "Officers are carrying out enquiries after a fire at a unit on Wem Business Park in the early hours of Monday morning. The cause of the fire is not yet known and enquiries are on-going to establish if it was started deliberately."

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had also begun an investigation.

The fire led to half of the town being without electricity for much of the morning while Scottish Power engineers worked to repair damage caused to the network. Power was restored after the problem was isolated.

And residents were also warned that they may experience low pressure water supplies and discoloured water because of the amount drawn off the mains by the fire service.

Roads in the New Street area were closed while the firefighting operation took place but re-opened to traffic later on Monday.

Mr Si Gardner whose apartment overlooks the business park, said he was glad that no-one had been hurt.

"I feel for the people who work there and use the building," he said.

Anyone with information can contact West Mercia Police quoting reference 00025_I_06102021.