Investigation launched into major blaze involving 45 firefighters and causing temporary closure of the A31

Investigators are today trying to establish the cause of a major fire which led to the temporary closure of the A31 last night.

At the height of the blaze at an industrial unit in Sturminster Marshall, around 45 firefighters were tackling the flames from nine stations.

It involved a wooden building and a large number of tractor units and motorbikes as well as gas cylinders.

The A31 between Winterborne Zelston and Winterborne Tomson was closed for around two hours.

A number of people living nearby were looked after by the Red Lion in Sturminster Marshall during the incident.

Credit: Wimborne Fire Station

A spokeswoman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service told Bournemouth One: “We were called to a site off Dorchester Road, Sturminster Marshall, at 7.28pm last night for a large fire affecting an industrial unit.

“At the height of the incident, we had crews in attendance from Wimborne, Poole (x3), Hamworthy, Bere Regis, Blandford (x2) and Redhill Park, together with a support appliance from Hamworthy, water carriers from Ringwood and Bridport, and the Unimog from Wareham – approx. 45 firefighters.

“The wooden building was fully involved in fire; also affected were multiple tractor units and motorbikes. Firefighters have had to maintain a safe distance due to the shed also containing a number of acetylene and LPG cylinders.

“As at 9.30am on 18 October, we remain on scene with one fire crew and a water carrier. Utility companies are on site this morning to isolate supplies, there is no longer an issue with smoke, and the A31 is unaffected.

“A fire investigation will start later today when it’s safe to do so.

“Some people living close to the fire were temporarily displaced last night, and our thanks go to the Red Lion in Sturminster Marshall for looking after them.”


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