Swindon industrial estate fire: utility company gives update
The fire service were called to South Marston Industrial Estate yesterday afternoon
Last updated 21st Jul 2024
Around two dozen firefighters were called out to an industrial estate in Swindon yesterday - with hundreds of homes recording an unplanned power outage last night - after a gas pipe was damaged and caught alight.
At about 14:30, crews were called to the scene after the gas leak ignited, and it wasn't until around 6pm when Wales and West Utilities confirmed the area was again safe.
On their incident report yesterday afternoon, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service said: "Firefighters from Stratton, Swindon and Westlea (approx. 20 firefighters) are supporting Wales and West Utilities to deal with an ignited gas leak in Stirling Road near South Marston Industrial Estate.
"A 100m cordon is in place affecting the entrance and exit to the Industrial Estate."
The has leak happened because of external contractors who were working in the area - with the restoration efforts said to have been 'complex' - with a number of local roads shut whilst the incident was dealt with.
This morning, the fire service confirmed: "The ignition also affected an 11kv electricity cable which caused the power disruption.
"Four breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets, two main lines, gas monitors and thermal imaging cameras to extinguish the fire.
"The incident stop came in at 6:09pm and was handed over to the utilities company."
In the latest update, at around 6pm, Darren Keighley, Wales & West Utilities Gas Emergency Service Manager for Swindon, said: "We were called to reports of a gas leak in the Viscount Way area of Swindon this afternoon and immediately sent a team of engineers to investigate. On arrival, we discovered that a third party working in the area had damaged a gas pipe causing it to leak and catch alight.
"Our engineers worked as safely and as quickly as possible and have stopped the leak, making the area safe and allowing the emergency services to extinguish the fire.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of local residents and road users while we worked to make the area safe.”
You can find out about power outages in your area on the SSEN website.