Shifnal industrial unit collapses and vehicles destroyed in severe blaze - with video and pictures

About 12 vehicles have been gutted in the blaze at sole trader breakers’ Transit Centre, which specialises in dismantling vans for spare parts.

The flames and smoke also caused damage to at least two neighbouring units, including Manutek Engineering Services.

Smoke was still spewing at the site, in Lamledge Lane, after the flames brought down much of the structure at the unit which contained vehicles.

The cause of the fire which was reported at 4.50am is not yet known but police were at the scene this morning.

Video from the scene:

Residents and businesses were advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Simon Hardiman said eight crews plus supporting teams attended the incident at the height of the blaze.

"We were called at 4.50am this morning to a large fire at an industrial unit, in Lamledge Lane. At its height we had about 50 firefighters and eight engines including support officers and vehicles. It is now under control, but we are looking to reassure people in the community.

"There is still smoke issuing at the site. As a precaution residents should keep windows and doors closed while we contain and dampen any remaining hotspots. We have brought along all of our equipment.

"The aerial ladder is in operation and the command unit is also here.

"The unit was occupied and contained a number of commercial and private vehicles. The owners are quite devastated by what's happened. They have been helping us to identify risks of potential hotspots in the workshop.

"The industrial estate in next the Telford to Wolverhampton railway, between Cosford and Shifnal, so we have also contacted Network Rail to inform them of the incident. The trains have not been stopped," Mr Hardiman said.

Crews

The service also stated: "There is significant collapse of the structure and structural engineers are being brought in.

It also said that pumping units were brought in to transport water to the blaze from hydrants due to concerns about hazardous materialsi t's HAZMAT unit was called out.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fought the blaze which was declared under control at 7.50am. Crews from Albrighton, Telford, Wellington and Shrewsbury attended.

Meanwhile, some businesses were forced to remain closed all day after the emergency services shut the access drives to make way for the ongoing dampening down operation.

These including skip hire firm Quick Skips which was sent its staff home.

Dave Arthur, proprietor of motorsports clothing maker, GTS said: "I found out about the fire when someone sent me a text at 6am asking me if my unit was on fire. I was in shock and literally jumped out of bed and into my car to get down here to see for myself what had happened.

"I got here at 7.15am because I was obviously worried that it was our business. It’s the third time in two years there’s been a fire on the estate. '

Last August, trains were cancelled and people living nearby were also urged to keep windows closed because of the thick black smoke caused by a fierce blaze at a unit also in Lamledge Lane. Five vehicles and a container trailer were destroyed at a haulage depot at the time.