Businesses ruined after blaze at city industrial park

SEVERAL businesses have been left with devastating damage after a fire tore through an industrial estate.

The fire at Langland Park West industrial estate in the Spytty area of Newport broke out at about 11.45am on Friday, September 25.

Firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze as business owners and employees watched from behind a police cordon.

There were no reported injuries, but several units on the estate were destroyed, including one used by Welsh Cycling, which lost a substantial amount of equipment and five vehicles.

Others have been left with extensive fire, smoke and water damage.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire is currently undetermined due to structural damage of the premises. An investigation into the cause has now concluded.

Business owners have spent several days assessing the damage, recovering stock and equipment, and attempting to make arrangements with insurance providers while demolition workers clear the site.

Michael and Tracey Hill operate their vehicle repair and maintenance business, Hill Vehicle Services Ltd, from the Langland Park West trading estate.

“[We’ve lost] pretty much everything,” Michael, 37, said.

“It’s all water damaged. It looks worse today. There’s mould everywhere now.”

Michael said he has lost a considerable amount of work in the time since the fire.

“We have been offered a new unit but it’s not as simple as that,” he said.

“We still don’t know if we are going to get anything or not. We are fully insured but you know what they are like.”