Fire crews from across Somerset tackled a big blaze at a furniture factory in Highbridge on Sunday (March 18th) – and it emerged on Monday that the blaze had been caused by a bonfire.
Ten fire appliances were in attendance at the Woodbery Haines furniture factory on the Walrow Industrial Estate after the fire broke out mid-morning. See video coverage here.
A spokesman for Somerset Fire & Rescue Service told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “After an investigation on Monday morning, we now know the cause of the blaze was a bonfire at the site. Several of the workers had been burning reject timbers and had failed to fully extinguish it. This was the source of the fire.”
A call had been received shortly before 10am on Sunday reporting the fire. On arriving at the scene, crews found a portacabin, embankment and a large store of MDF well alight.
Ten pumps were in attendance from Burnham-On-Sea, Bridgwater, Taunton, Cheddar, Glastonbury and Weston.
“The fire was brought under control at 12.37pm. Following the above fire, a portacabin, baling machine and large quantity of MDF were severely damaged by fire,” added the spokesman.
“The fire was extinguised using four main jets, 12 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using a supply of water fed from open water.”
The last fire appliance left the scene at 3pm and the cause of the blaze is being investigated.
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Video coverage of this incident
