‘Dramatic’ fire shocked people living on street
ASBESTOS WARNING FEARS FOR WORRIED RESIDENTS
MORE details have emerged of a “dramatic” industrial estate fire which sparked fears over deadly asbestos.
Around 12 fire engines rushed to Thames Street in Bulwell after a garage fire was reported at 11.13am on Tuesday.
Thames Street residents neighbouring the blaze were urged to close their windows and others were advised to avoid the area, due to what Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service called a “small asbestos risk”.
The following day, there was extensive damage to a large industrial garage. The roof had collapsed and the back of the building was in a state of disrepair.
The owner of the building, occupied by Trackman Engineering, spoke only to warn that the building was unsafe after the fire and to say that people were being kept away from the burntout garage.
Paul Gawronski, 60, who runs PRG Vehicle Body Repairs opposite the affected building, said that the fire had created a “dramatic” scene, with flames reaching 15 feet above the tall garage.
“We were kicked out of our building about half an hour after it started.
“It looked quite dramatic. The flames were a good 15 foot above the roof of it, and that’s a double height building.
“It was quite the scene. There was a big platform where they were spraying water from right outside my business.”
Speaking about his worries about the fire’s effect on his business,
Mr Gawronski added: “I think before the fire crews arrived we were worried about how far it would get.
“Apart from one unit at the very end we had to get out, so we all watched for about five hours because we couldn’t lock up or anything to go home.”
Mr Gawronski said that the business owners were also concerned about the risks posed by asbestos.
He added: “All of these buildings are asbestos to my knowledge, so obviously that was another worry.”
Firefighters from the Stockhill, Arnold, London Road, Eastwood and Ilkeston fire stations were called to the scene to help fight the fire and 60 firefighters were there at one point.
People living in the houses on Thames Street said that the fire had been “shocking”.
Council worker Rosey Donovan, 41, who lives near the industrial estate entrance, said: “It was quite a big thing.
“I was making a coffee when the fire service arrived, but I did not expect it would be much really.
“But when I saw the roof and the flames coming from it you could tell it was something serious.
“The fire crews came round to tell people to close their windows, which I do anyway at this time of year, but it was concerning with the asbestos warning.
“It was quite a shock to see it, especially with it being so close to where I live.”
Another resident of Thames Street, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “All I could see was black smoke going over the top of the house.
“Thankfully I had my windows closed already and the fire was a bit further away.
“I was told that there were a lot of firemen coming down here to put it out.”
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The investigating into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
“But it is being delayed at the moment as the building is structurally unsafe.”
All these buildings are asbestos to my knowledge, so that was another worry
Paul Gawronski