Fire engulfs building in industrial area
Attempts to dampen the flames were hampered by a lack of water in the nearby fire hydrants, witnesses said.
Firefighters are tonight battling a huge blaze that has engulfed a building in the Avon Industrial area. The old Birchson’s Electrical building, now used to store waste paper, is on fire and fire-fighters are trying to prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings – one of which is a mechanical workshop where vehicles are stored.
Witnesses said the fire appeared to have started behind the corrugated iron building where the paper is stored. The Fire Brigade attempts to control the fire were hampered by a lack of water in fire hydrants.
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Their vehicles had to be driven up and down to other working hydrants to keep filling up with water as the fire roared through the stacks of stored paper and through the building. A large crowd of onlookers gathered to watch the scene with some volunteering to help.
Mayor Richard Mbatha is also on the scene and offered words of comfort those affected
