Worcester fire forces residents from homes

People living near Midland Power Machinery Distribution in Orchard Street, off Bath Road, were evacuated as the lawn mower and garden distribution company’s asbestos roof began to explode during last night’s inferno.

The fire started about 7.10pm and Bath Road was closed off to traffic in both directions while firefighters tackled the blaze. A plume of smoke could seen across the city.

Firefighters recovered propane gas cylinders from the premises which contained a large quantity of engine oil.

Police officers quickly established a 200-metre evacuation zone around the site forcing families to seek refuge in the Berwick Arms pub, Bath Road, before a temporary rest centre was set up at Cherry Orchard Primary School, Timberdine Avenue.

No-one was hurt as a result of the blaze.

Among those evacuated was Hayley Bosworth, aged 27, of Orchard Street, who said she called the fire service.

“I was so scared,” she said. “Bits from the fire were going all over the house. I heard glass shattering.

“I asked the fire service to get here quickly.

“We could feel it getting really hot and things kept exploding and coming over towards our house. It was asbestos from the roof and gas canisters going up.”

Her mother Cathy said: “It was just like a horror film. Absolutely horrific.”

Husband John said he saw debris land on his neighbour’s lawn which began to burn while Patricia Hamilton, of nearby Cavendish Street, off Orchard Street, said the heat from the fire was “intense”.

“It was very bad, smoke and flames going through the roof,” she said. “It spread so rapidly and there were explosions, just like fireworks.”

The family were due to spend the night with relatives.

Mike Redfern, assistant chief fire officer for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS), said: “It’s quite an intense fire - it has burnt through the roof.”

Mark Lloyd-Wilson, a partner in Midland Power Machinery Distribution, which has been running since 1974 and employs about 32 people - said the fire had followed an open day.

“It is an annual event but this time it had gone especially well and then this happened,” he said. “There’s a lot of aerosal cans in special cages in there. When I arrived there was a lot of black smoke and the police were evacuating the houses.”

Mick Cadman, HWFRS group manager, said 12 fire engines and two water carriers were dispatched to the scene in total. He said a specialist compressed air foam appliance was also used because of the presence of oil.

West Midlands Ambulance Service’s hazard area response team (HART) was also sent to the scene to back-up firefighters entering the burning building.

It is not yet known what caused the fire, which was expected to burn throughout the night, but an investigation will take place.

closed off to traffic in both directions while firefighters tackled the blaze. A plume of smoke could be seen across the city.

Firefighters recovered propane gas cylinders from the building, which also contained a large quantity of engine oil.

Police quickly set up a 200-metre evacuation zone around the site, forcing families to seek refuge in the Berwick Arms, Bath Road, before a temporary rest centre was set up at Cherry Orchard Primary School in Timberdine Avenue. No one was hurt as a result of the blaze.

Among those evacuated was Hayley Bosworth, aged 27, of Orchard Street, who said she called the fire service.

“I was so scared,” she said. “Bits from the fire were going all over the house. I heard glass shattering. I asked the fire service to get here quickly.

“We could feel it getting really hot and things kept exploding and coming over towards our house. It was asbestos from the roof and gas canisters going up.”

Her mum Catherine said: “It was just like a horror film. Absolutely horrific.”

Her husband John said he saw debris land on his neighbour’s lawn, which began to burn. The Bosworth family were due to spend the night with relatives.

Patricia Hamilton, of nearby Cavendish Street, off Orchard Street, said the heat from the fire was “intense”.

“It was very bad – smoke and flames going through the roof,” she said. “It spread so rapidly and there were explosions, just like fireworks.”

Mike Redfern, assistant chief fire officer for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It’s quite an intense fire – it has burned through the roof.”

Mark Lloyd-Wilson, a partner in Midland Power Machinery Distribution, which has been in business since 1974 and employs about 32 people – said the fire had followed an open day.

“It is an annual event but this time it had gone especially well and then this happened,” he said.

“There’s a lot of aerosal cans in special cages in there. When I arrived there was a lot of black smoke and the police were evacuating the houses.”

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