90 firefighters tackle major blaze at council depot

Over fifty 999 calls were received after a fire broke out shortly after 2pm yesterday (15 November) at Dorset Council's Crookhill depot in Chickerell.

Plumes of black smoke were seen across the Weymouth area and a number of explosions were heard.

Around 90 firefighters have been on site tackling the blaze, which has affected multiple refuse lorries and ancillary vehicles, although adjacent buildings have been saved.

There have been 15 fire crews in attendance – from Weymouth, Portland, Bridport, Dorchester, Wareham, Charmouth, Poole, Beaminster, Lyme Regis, Sherborne, Swanage, Blandford and Hamworthy – together with aerial ladder platforms from Weymouth and Westbourne, water carriers from Poole and Yeovil, and support appliances from Poole, Hamworthy and Gillingham.

'Water supply'

Water supply was an issue, so the high volume pump from Christchurch was deployed, but this wasn’t needed and has now been returned.

With the fire contained, the Service’s attendance was scaled back from 6pm to eight crews, two water carriers and one aerial ladder platform. It is expected that firefighters will remain on scene today, although the attendance will scale back further as the incident continues to be brought to a close.

'Residents asked to keep windows closed'

A spokesman for DWFRS said:

"There were issues at the start of the fire about the amount of smoke rising from the site; this has now mostly diminished but local people should still keep doors and windows closed as a precaution if they are concerned.

"At this stage, what started the fire is unknown, a full investigation will start tomorrow when it is safe to do so."