Karen NolanAn industrial estate is being evacuated following a “serious” explosion.
Police, ambulance crews and firefighters were called to the Groundwell Industrial Estate on Crompton Road in Swindon at about 19:30 BST following an explosion in a warehouse.
Wiltshire Police described the incident as “serious” and said a large cordon is in place around the scene.
A force spokesperson said they are working to evacuate the immediate area, and that people living nearby should stay indoors and keep their windows closed for their own safety.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was dealing with a large warehouse fire and currently has 10 fire engines at the scene, along with other specialist vehicles.
Dozens of residents have written on social media that they felt their homes shake following the explosion.
Jason O’Grady, head coach and owner of Swindon Martial Arts and Fitness, located about 200 metres from the site, said staff running lessons earlier heard “a massive loud bang” and “bits of ceiling tile fell down on everybody”.
Mr O’Grady, who was not at work at the time, said staff had initially thought the building had been hit by a car, and that a large crack had appeared along the top of the wall.
“Luckily our guys were quite quick to get out so the police let them go, but I do know the place behind us, the police kept them in because they were a little bit worried about which factory had blown up and what kind of smoke was in the air, so they kept them in for a while before they evacuated them,” he said.
Mr O’Grady said he has no idea what condition his business’s building is in.
“I went to check and make sure everyone was out and do a safety check but the police wouldn’t let anyone near it, which is obviously the right thing to do,” he said.
“I don’t think we are going to know anything until tomorrow.”
