THIS is the moment a lorry exploded into flames in the heart of Worcester’s university campus, sending jets of fire shooting out “like a flamethrower”.
As reported on this website yesterday, firefighters set up a 25-metre cordon around the blaze at the University of Worcester’s St John’s campus after they received a call at 2.42pm yesterday.
The lorry, used by a contractor to paint white lines on the road, contained eight cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas and nearby buildings had to be evacuated as windows in cars and flats were blown out.
A neighbouring building was also in danger of catching fire and, at the height of the fire, there were five fire engines at the scene and 27 firefighters using hoses to dampen down the flames.
Ossi Kasurinen, a first year biology student from Finland, said: “It was a pretty aggressive fire. It seemed like the lorry was carrying something flammable because flames were shooting out of the side like a flamethrower.”
Professor Ros Foskett, the deputy vice chancellor of the university, said the lorry had been painting white lines on some of the car parks at the campus.
Prof Foskett said: “The important thing was to get the buildings cleared and make sure all the entrances and exits to the car parks were secure.
“We haven’t been able to get close enough to find the extent of the damage, but windows have been blown out of a storeroom.
“There may be some damage in that building and also one of the halls of residence.
"A couple of flats appear also to have been damaged. We’re already making plans for students to be rehoused.
"There was an explosion. I heard the bang and looked out of the window and there was a pall of black smoke.
“I came straight over to investigate. I have seen fires before, but never anything like this.”
The people who had been evacuated were offered free tea and coffee in the university cafe.
Firefighters brought the fire under control shortly before 4.30pm.
Firefighter Jack Russell, group commander, said none of the cylinders had burst and the explosion could have been a tyre.
Firefighters praised the university staff for their help in controlling traffic and keeping onlookers at a safe distance throughout the incident.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here