Arson suspected as four fire crews battle major blaze at Asfordby Business Park

Firefighters have been at the scene of a large fire at Asfordby Business Park since the early hours of this morning (Sunday).
Fire service stock photoFire service stock photo
Fire service stock photo

Two crews from Melton and one from both Oakham and Birstall, together with a command support vehicle from Shepshed and a water carrier from Loughborough were mobilised to the St Bartholomews Way site.

The first emergency call came in at 12.24am and fire investigators believe the blaze, which involved recycling materials, was started deliberately.

Watch manager Simon Lee said the initial reports were that it was a fire in the area of Holwell Works but when the first crew was mobilised it was clear it was in the region of the business park.

There were a considerable number of fridges, freezers and sandwich panels which went up in flames.

Mr Lee said: “This was a fairly susbtantial fire which our fire crews dealt with over four or five hours.

“There was sufficient evidence for us to believe that it was started deliberately.”

The blaze covered an area of approximately 50 metres by 10 metres and its scale prompted the watch manager to ask for two further crews to attend.

Firefighters used a foam jet and a hose reel jet before requestung the attendance of a water carrier equipped with foam stock.

Crew were still at the scene shortly before 9am, damping down using a mechanical digger and utilising a high pressure hose reel to make the site safe.