THE quick actions of firefighters stopped a major fire in a laundry from spreading to neighbouring businesses as the blaze threatened to rage out of control.
The fire broke out at the Priory Dry Cleaners and Laundry at Everoak Industrial Estate, Bromyard Road, St John's, Worcester in the early hours of this morning.
At the height of the incident, seven fire engines and around 40 firefighters were at the scene of the fire with an aerial ladder platform used to quell the flames after the 999 call came in.
The response of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service meant the fire did not spread to neighbouring businesses including Worcester Bowl and Stonemasons of Worcester.
At the height of the incident, Bromyard Road was closed by police and a 'caution' was placed on train services because the fire was so close to the railway line as train drivers were warned to slow down.
Dramatic photos showed firefighters using an aerial ladder platform to douse the flames from above, spraying water into the roof with the flames creating a hole and deforming the panels.
A fire service spokesperson said: "Seven crews – two from Worcester, two from Malvern and one each from Droitwich, Bromyard and Bromsgrove Fire Stations – plus the incident command unit from Wyre Forest, the aerial ladder platform from Worcester, the water carrier from Leominster and the environmental protection unit from Tenbury Wells were called at 4.50am to smoke issuing at a business in Bromyard Road, Worcester.
"A single-storey building, around 100m by 60m, was well alight including mezzanine flooring. The incident was sectorised with the fire fought by four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using two hose reel jets and two main jets with the aerial ladder platform augmented from street mains.
"Bromyard Road has been closed by police who are also in attendance.
"There are no casualties.
"The gas supply has been isolated, and the incident remains ongoing, although it is currently scaling back."
Dan Willey, station commander, was on scene and said getting on top of a fire early was really important. Meanwhile, fire investigators were looking into finding the cause of the blaze and would likely be at the scene all day, he added.
"We will use thermal imaging to identify any hot spots. Firefighters stopped the fire from spreading to other businesses. The fire was successfully contained," he said.
An update provided by the fire service later in the morning revealed the incident was being scaled back.
He said: "At the moment, the incident is scaling back with two hose reel jets and the aerial ladder platform, along with two triple extension ladders, in use to dampen down an area on the mezzanine floor."
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Tom Adams, owner of Stonemasons of Worcester, a neighbouring business on the industrial estate, said: "They got here early enough to contain it and stop it spreading. The car park was carnage this morning. We are open as normal."
Hayley Johnson, the area manager of Worcester Bowl, run by Disco Bowl, said they were not currently open because the electric and water were switched off but she hoped it could be open later in the day.
Mrs Johnson, speaking on Friday, said: "The building isn't damaged. We will open as soon as the electricity is back on. We have been quite lucky the fire did not spread through to us and we have gone undamaged. It could have been a lot worse.
"But we have no electricity and water at the moment. People can still contact the venue and we are still taking potential bookings for tonight."
They had some bookings in the morning which were offered a full refund. She added that customers had been very supportive.
The thickness of the wall helped prevent the fire from spreading, firefighters confirmed.
We have attempted to make contact with Priory Dry Cleaners.
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