Old silk mill goes up in a blaze

A major fire ripped through a derelict factory in Frome, taking eight fire engines from Somerset and Wiltshire to bring it under control.
The fire started just after 9.00pm on Wednesday 30th at the Old Silk Mills factory on Vicarage Street, Frome.
Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service sent two fire engines from Warminster, two from Trowbridge and one from Westbury to the fire as well as a support unit from Warminster and equipment from lighting equipment from Melksham.
In total, eight appliances from Wiltshire, Avon and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services attended at the height of the blaze, working together to bring it under control.
The derelict three storey building, which used to be the Beswicks factory, at the Old Silk Mills industrial estate was reported as being on fire at about 9.20pm, and an adjacent building had also caught alight. Because of the scale of the blaze, eight pumping appliances were needed and fire stations in west Wiltshire were best placed to attend.
Local residents were requested to close their windows as a large plume of smoke blew over the area.
Matt Tozer, who lives in King Street was one of many who witnessed the spectacle. He said, “We were first alerted by a noise similar to fireworks and a strong smell of smoke coming in the windows to our accommodation above the pet shop in King Street, Frome.
“Believing it to be fireworks at first, the smell increased so we ventured outside to investigate. Only a few people were gathering as we went out around 9.40pm but already the fire was raging. The fire was clearly visible all along Saxon Vale.
“The fire brigade took some time to arrive and were unable to access the site due to the lack of roads down to the old factory premises. When they finally did arrive, the best route through was blocked by locked gates (believed to belong to Damon Moore who is developing the silk mills on Saxon Vale).
“Eventually the codes to the gates were provided and the fire engines were able to get closer to the raging fire which was by now threatening the silk mills themselves.”
Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service area manager Mark Gaskarth said, “Cross-border working is common practice, as it ensures that the right units are on scene in the quickest possible time. On this occasion, we sent two fire engines from Warminster, two from Trowbridge and one from Westbury, as well as a support unit from Warminster to help service the breathing apparatus equipment and an incident response unit from Melksham that provides high powered lighting. We also had two officers in attendance to support our firefighters.”
The blaze was under control by midnight and the last Wiltshire appliance left at 2.00am. Crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service remained on scene throughout the night, and a fire investigation is now underway to establish the cause.
Group commander Jon Miller from DSFRS Wells Group & Incident Commander said, “Fire & Rescue Service crews from Devon & Somerset, Avon FRS & Wiltshire FRS worked extremely professionally and efficiently to quickly tackle this fire to prevent it spreading to adjacent properties.
“Crews worked hard under dangerous conditions to deal with this incident at the risk of building collapse. We were able to contain the fire and protect the environment by limiting the water used for firefighting, therefore preventing pollution to nearby water courses and assess the effects of the smoke plume.
“I am pleased and grateful for the support given to us from not only our own crews, but those of Avon FRS & Wiltshire FRS. Additionally, the support provided by the Salvation Army, police, paramedics, scientific services and Environment Agency once again proved that our multi-agency partnership working ensured that all aspects of community protection and firefighter safety were dealt with.
“I am particularly grateful for the continued support of the employers of our retained duty firefighters who enabled many crews to be released from employment to be able to deal with this incident, DSFRS will have commenced a review of the incident to assess our response in tackling the incident but just as importantly, what strategies we need to implement in terms of the provision of advice to protect businesses and properties against the potential causes of fire. We will be able to do this more effectively once the cause of the fire has been established; the investigation at this point in time is still ongoing”.
Witnesses sought
Police have issued an appeal for witnesses who may have information about the cause of the fire. They say they are “keeping an open mind” as to how it started.
Anyone who was in the area at the time of the fire who may have seen anything suspicious is asked to call police at Frome on 0845 4567000. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers confidentially and anonymously on 0800 555111.