Firefighters battling a massive blaze at a storage unit in Byfleet are likely to be there “for a number of days”, a station commander has said as he discussed the key problems crews are currently facing. Speaking outside the fire at Access Self Storage, on Oyster Lane, station commander Brad Thomas discussed the difficulties firefighters have faced in dealing with the flames since being called to the area at around 9pm on Thursday (May 18.)
Although a total of eight fire engines and other fire fighting equipment, including drones, were at the scene at one stage on Friday (May 19), and with dozens of firefighters tackling the blaze, Mr Thomas warned it could be some time before they were able to leave the area. Due to the building being weakened by the fire, it was not safe for anyone to head inside, meaning it is currently unclear how much damage has been caused, although he said no injuries have been reported.
“This afternoon we’re still making the best use of the aerials,” he said. “We’re utilising them to effectively prevent the spread and damp down on the building as it is at present.
READ MORE: Firefighters still battling storage unit blaze as photos show melted building
“I’m pleased to say we’ve got no injuries, which is the most important thing to us as a fire service. As far as damage goes we’re not able to get in to assess the building but it is obviously significant and substantial. We’re completely unable to get into the building.
“We’re going to be here for a substantial amount of time to continue efforts that we’re doing and probably some monitoring after that as well, because of the large amount of materials that were involved within the building, to make sure that doesn’t reignite again. We’ll be here for a number of days.”
Vehicles from West Sussex and Hampshire have also been called to help with the response with Mr Thomas saying three or four units in the building were affected by the fire. He also used the incident to urge businesses in the area to improve their fire safety.
“I’d like to take that opportunity to encourage businesses within the area to look at what they’re doing within fire safety,” he said. Asked about what had caused the huge blaze, he said: “We can’t indicate the cause of this [fire], but incidents like this are a really good opportunity for them [businesses] to look at themselves.”
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