Overview
- A large fire tore through a three-storey derelict warehouse on the Saxonvale/Kingsway site next to the M&S store in Frome, with the first reports coming in at about 3pm on Wednesday.
- Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service mobilised multiple appliances, saying eight pumping appliances were on scene and that two water carriers and two aerial ladder platforms were later brought in.
- Firefighters used three main jets to attack the blaze and crews from neighbouring services assisted in the response.
- Authorities established cordons because the building is structurally unstable, advised nearby residents to keep doors and windows closed, and by about 8.30pm scaled the response back to two engines after reporting good progress.
- The warehouse is locally described as a heritage asset on a long-derelict site with recent community-led planning interest, and Somerset Council has said it will not speculate on cause, damage extent, or redevelopment implications while assessments continue.