Skip to content

Homes evacuated after fire leads to explosions

News imageBBC Fire crews and police at sceneBBC
At one point 55 firefighters were pulled back as the fire was found to involve gas cylinders

Homes have been evacuated due to explosions and smoke from a fire at an industrial estate.

Five engines were initially sent by Nottinghamshire fire service to the Hathernware Industrial Estate, Sutton Bonington, just after 11:00 BST.

This was increased to eight, then ten as the fire seemed to increase in intensity. Residents in a 200m exclusion zone were led to safety.

The A6006 road was closed and services on the Midland Mainline halted.

News imageSutton Bonington fire
Loud bangs could be heard by residents and forced firefighters to withdraw for a time

At one point 55 firefighters were pulled back as the fire was found to involve gas cylinders.

East Midlands Ambulance Service said it had no reports of casualties or anyone missing but confirmed it had dispatched its Hazardous Area Response Team.

Resident Tim Morley said: "I looked out of the window and at first I thought it was a big black rain cloud.

"We heard a couple of bangs that seemed to come from over there - it looks very unpleasant.

"People have said possibly someone was burning tyres there but there is also an automotive paint shop on the estate."

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. X content may contain adverts.

Police tweeted that thick smoke was the main cause of problems.

National Rail said the disruption could continue for the rest of the day and replacement buses were being put on between Leicester and Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue is being supported by crews from Leicestershire and Derbyshire.

Residents have been told to keep doors and windows closed.

Flights to East Midlands Airport have not been affected.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.