Fire Commercial

We are in attendance at a large fire at a battery manufacturers industrial unit on Leach Road in Chard. Eight pumping appliances as well as specialist resources are in attendance. There have been no injuries reported. We are advising local residents to close doors and windows due to the large smoke plume. 

Crews using water jets to tackle the fire. Police are in attendance, the road has been closed and electricity to the building isolated.

Update 10.35

The roof is fully involved in fire and the building is unstable. Fire crews continue to fight the fire from a safe distance using the aerial ladder platforms to target water onto the fire from above.

Water is being shuttled to the two aerial appliances using a water bowser and fire appliances. Water jets and a ground monitor are also in use.

Update 11.30

Steady progress being made using the resources above. Incident will be scaled back to four pumping appliances shortly.

Update 13.30

An aerial ladder platform is still in use supplied by a water carrier and a water relay. Cordons are being maintained and the stability of the building is being monitored. Electricity has been restored to neighbouring properties.

Update 15.40

One fire crew remains at the scene damping down with a hose reel jet from a safe distance. Road closure still in place. 

Update 15.30, 26/2/24

Fire crews have been revisiting the site periodically since yesterday to dampen down any hotspots but no further revisits are required. The building was destroyed by fire. It is believed to be an accidental cause.

These are the final details.