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Ocado warehouse fire: Homes evacuated amid 'explosion risk' | Ocado warehouse fire: Homes evacuated amid 'explosion risk' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Homes have been evacuated due to the "risk of toxic release or large cylinder explosion" at a large fire sweeping through an Ocado warehouse. | Homes have been evacuated due to the "risk of toxic release or large cylinder explosion" at a large fire sweeping through an Ocado warehouse. |
A 500m "exclusion zone" has been set up as firefighters continue to tackle the blaze which broke out on Tuesday morning. | A 500m "exclusion zone" has been set up as firefighters continue to tackle the blaze which broke out on Tuesday morning. |
Deputy chief fire officer Andy Bowers said the evacuation of Walworth Industrial Estate in Hampshire was a precaution to "keep the public safe". | Deputy chief fire officer Andy Bowers said the evacuation of Walworth Industrial Estate in Hampshire was a precaution to "keep the public safe". |
A major incident has been declared. | A major incident has been declared. |
Mr Bowers said: "We have a risk of a toxic release or a large cylinder explosion. | Mr Bowers said: "We have a risk of a toxic release or a large cylinder explosion. |
"We are working extremely closely with all of our partners to keep the public safe." | "We are working extremely closely with all of our partners to keep the public safe." |
Some homes 1.6km away from the site were due to be evacuated depending to the wind direction, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said. | Some homes 1.6km away from the site were due to be evacuated depending to the wind direction, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said. |
Residents outside the exclusion zone have been told to "stay put and close doors and windows". | Residents outside the exclusion zone have been told to "stay put and close doors and windows". |
Test Valley Borough Council said residents who needed to be evacuated would "be informed by emergency services visiting your property". | Test Valley Borough Council said residents who needed to be evacuated would "be informed by emergency services visiting your property". |
But the local authority advised people who were able leave their properties without assistance to do so. | But the local authority advised people who were able leave their properties without assistance to do so. |
A fire service spokeswoman said about 20 families were at a rest centre set up in Harrow Way Community School, Andover, after being evacuated from their homes. | A fire service spokeswoman said about 20 families were at a rest centre set up in Harrow Way Community School, Andover, after being evacuated from their homes. |
She added it was a "strong possibility" that people who work within the exclusion zone would not have access on Thursday morning. | She added it was a "strong possibility" that people who work within the exclusion zone would not have access on Thursday morning. |
Chief fire officer Neil Odin said the initial small fire had taken a "dramatic turn" early on Wednesday morning and firefighters had to be withdrawn. | Chief fire officer Neil Odin said the initial small fire had taken a "dramatic turn" early on Wednesday morning and firefighters had to be withdrawn. |
"This building is not meant for humans to be interacting with the racking and the storage - it has robots moving racking on to loading bays, so for firefighters trying to get in that high and to make an effective fire-fighting strategy, it has been very difficult," he said. | "This building is not meant for humans to be interacting with the racking and the storage - it has robots moving racking on to loading bays, so for firefighters trying to get in that high and to make an effective fire-fighting strategy, it has been very difficult," he said. |
Mr Odin added the "extensive" fire had led to a "large cylinder with refrigerant gas in it" being affected. | |
Firefighters have been tackling the blaze on the Andover site for more than 40 hours, after crews were called to the scene at 02:44 GMT on Tuesday. | Firefighters have been tackling the blaze on the Andover site for more than 40 hours, after crews were called to the scene at 02:44 GMT on Tuesday. |
Four firefighters have been treated for minor smoke inhalation, but no Ocado staff were injured in the blaze. | Four firefighters have been treated for minor smoke inhalation, but no Ocado staff were injured in the blaze. |
More than 300 firefighters were tackling the blaze on Wednesday afternoon, after it was declared a major incident. | More than 300 firefighters were tackling the blaze on Wednesday afternoon, after it was declared a major incident. |
The fire service said the blaze involved automated packaging machinery. | The fire service said the blaze involved automated packaging machinery. |
Ocado said the fire, which started in a corner of the ambient grid, has caused substantial damage to the majority of the building and its contents. Part of the roof has also collapsed. | |
Ocado shares have dropped 6% and the retailer has warned of a hit to sales. | Ocado shares have dropped 6% and the retailer has warned of a hit to sales. |
The online grocer said it expected a fall in sales until it could shift operations to other warehouses. | The online grocer said it expected a fall in sales until it could shift operations to other warehouses. |
More than 30,000 orders are processed by robots at the Andover warehouse each week, but Ocado has not given any detail about what the impact will be to customers. | More than 30,000 orders are processed by robots at the Andover warehouse each week, but Ocado has not given any detail about what the impact will be to customers. |
The grocer has other warehouses, including in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, which have been unaffected. The Andover site accounts for 10% of Ocado's capacity. | The grocer has other warehouses, including in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, which have been unaffected. The Andover site accounts for 10% of Ocado's capacity. |