Posted: 14:47 on July 13, 2022
Updated: 4:26 p.m., July 13, 2022
More than a dozen fire crews were called to a major fire at an industrial unit in Weeting near Brandon.
Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze in Fengate Drove after being called just before 2pm today (July 13).
Large plumes of smoke can be seen over the city.
A Norfolk Police spokesman said: “We are assisting the fire at the scene and have closed the upper end of the road.”
A man who works in the industrial area, but did not want to be named, said “the smoke was black as a jet”.
A number of fire crews are called to a fire in Brandon – Photo: Mephisto Feles
He said: “There are so many people standing around watching, everyone in the area is out of their cars.
“The flames are 15 feet high.”
More than a dozen fire crews were called to a major fire at an industrial unit in Weeting – Credit: Tom Tawell
Smoke, which continues to rise from the site, can be seen from Wereham and Stoke Ferry.
Fire engines continue to attend the blaze and police officers at the scene are taking motorists using the main road off.
The fire is believed to be at an industrial unit in Fengate Drove – Credit: Sarah Hussain
Residents are also being told to stay indoors.
Units from Thetford, Beccles, Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds, Elmswell, Ixworth, Brandon and Newmarket are currently in place.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The factory is completely destroyed, next to the harvest church.
“Earlier I was told by the police to stay indoors and we weren’t sure if there were any chemicals coming from him.
“Debris falls in all our gardens.
Fire crews at the scene of the fire. – Credit: Sarah Hussain
“I saw it from my bedroom window, I heard some banging at first and thought it was the steam rally but thought it was going on too long.
“Then I looked about two hours ago and saw the flames and the black smoke.
“There were so many fire engines I lost count. We have a fire hydrant right in front of the church and we had seen them connect to it.
“Currently the water pressure in the house is low.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Another man, who wished to remain anonymous, whose daughter lives down the road, said: “At first it sounded like gunshots and then we saw the smoke.”
UK Power Networks are also on the scene.
The full extent of the incident is still unknown and it is uncertain if there are any injuries at this stage.
Residents have been asked to stay inside while emergency services attend the fire – Photo: Sarah Hussain
In a Facebook post, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said: “We currently have a significant number of resources attending to a fire at an industrial unit in Weeting.
“We advise all local residents to keep their windows closed until further notice.”
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