Firefighters tackle huge blaze at scrapyard near Royal Wootton Bassett

3:40pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Royal Wootton Bassett

Picture submitted by reader Paul Olson Picture submitted by reader Paul Olson

FIREFIGHTERS are battling huge flames and exploding fuel tanks in a fire at a scrapyard.

The alarm was raised at Swindon Metal Solutions Ltd at Broad Town, near Royal Wiootton Bassett, at 3.03pm and crews fromW estlea, Swindon, Marlborough, Cricklade, Calne, Devizes, Stratton and Malmesbury, supported by water carriers from Royal Wootton Bassett and Ramsbury, an incident command vehicle from Stratton and the aerial appliance from Swindon, are in attendance at the centre, which is based in Littleworth, Royal Wootton Bassett.

An aerial appliance is now at the scene, pouring water on the fire in an attempt to put it out.

Reporter Nigel Kerton said he is near Bushton and can feel the heat from the fire and hear exploding petrol tanks.

"There is an enormous plume of smoke and we can feel the heat coming across the fields. It is a huge fire," he said.

A local farmer, who asked to remamin anonymous, said it was the biggest fire he had ever seen.

He said: "It looks absolutely massive - I just pray no-one is hurt.

"Now and again you see little fires across the way but this one is clearly out of control.

"The fire service are doing the best they can but I think they will be here for a long time yet."

The fire has caused a significant plume of black smoke which is visible from as far away as Royal Wootton Bassett and Lydiard Millicent area. People in the affected area are advised to keep their doors and windows shut for the time being.

Wiltshire Police have currently closed the unclassified road between The Barton and Marlborough Road as well as the road from Broadtown to Royal Wootton Bassett.

Motorists are advised to find an alternative route.

Comments(26)

Grumpy of Calne. says...
4:34pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I live in Stockley, nr. Devizes, we can see and smell the smoke.

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Phorever says...
5:01pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I wont be going there for parts any time soon.

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b.scott96 says...
5:08pm Thu 5 Jul 12

Been watching it from kitchen window - live in Malmesbury (12miles approx as the crow flies!!!!)

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redhills says...
5:22pm Thu 5 Jul 12

smoke still pouring.....
water here is very minimal....

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djLee74 says...
5:29pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I just got back to Swindon from South Wales... the cloud was visible from the Bath junction (18) of the M4... I suspect if there hadn't been a big hill in the way I would have seen it from Bristol!

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red messenger says...
5:36pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I can see it from Faringdon...

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Melgee says...
5:39pm Thu 5 Jul 12

First day without it pouring with heavy rain to help put this fire out and now we have choking black smoke over the village!

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loubylou30 says...
5:47pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I can see the smoke from Semington 20 odd miles away!

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Sallyb1963 says...
6:09pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I was driving home from Oxford and could see the smoke for at least 20 mins East of Swindon. The last time I saw something like this it was when Weston Pier was burning

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the_bored1 says...
6:09pm Thu 5 Jul 12

Ive just been out to Lyneham, and can see it from there, good job the wind is blowing in the direction it is or it could be causing havoc for the planes landing for the air tattoo!

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phee26 says...
6:24pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I could see the smoke from crudwell, which is near malmesbury and kemble!

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PaddyObama says...
6:25pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I can see it from the London Eye...

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smiler32 says...
7:24pm Thu 5 Jul 12

i saw it from stanford in the vale

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mr-mm says...
7:36pm Thu 5 Jul 12

still burning now, see the smoke still at 19-35pm
approx 10 miles away !

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Phorever says...
8:09pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I live in Chippenham which is about 12 miles away, and I am damned if I can see anything.
Are you lot sure you aren't making it up?

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jmostfc says...
8:16pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I saw the smoke from the moon, just got back to Bassett and can also see it from here. Maybe this could delay the start of the football season if the wind changes!

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camerong1 says...
8:32pm Thu 5 Jul 12

we live in calne we can see most of the flames clearly and a lot of black clowed it is 20.30 pm and the smoke is still clear and still flames still poping up. hop it gose out soon

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monkee2 says...
9:17pm Thu 5 Jul 12

Phorever wrote:
I live in Chippenham which is about 12 miles away, and I am damned if I can see anything.
Are you lot sure you aren't making it up?
i live in Chippenham near Sainsburys and if you look back over the Hungerdown lane Road towards town can see the smoke we also went right by the site about 330pm today the flames were burning well over 50 foot. We were coming back from fairford and we could see the smoke from there. and you could smell the fumes from the cars burning
it was a nasty smell

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jax66 says...
11:16pm Thu 5 Jul 12

For all of you watchers on the moon, in Australia, America, Ourgate etc etc.. (not to mention the London Eye if it operates at this time of night for interesting occasions) . . . . but just to let you all know where ever you are its still burning at 23.11

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Phorever says...
11:24pm Thu 5 Jul 12

All those years of letting scrap cars seep fluids into the ground has finally paid its price.

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tfidean says...
12:05am Fri 6 Jul 12

Seems we have a right bunch of comedians on here today...more like idiots.

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greenpacer says...
12:41am Fri 6 Jul 12

Well all I know it was a lovely hot summers day today. Could have had my washing on the line instead of drying inside my house had I seen the forecast ! No sign of any smoke where I am or smell of it.

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mr-mm says...
12:53am Fri 6 Jul 12

its all them tyres buried in the ground !!!!!, not to mention all the toxics spilled
over the years

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Mushymushy says...
8:26am Fri 6 Jul 12

tfidean wrote:
Seems we have a right bunch of comedians on here today...more like idiots.
Best you go back to bed you miserable git

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Claude89 says...
11:26am Fri 6 Jul 12

Mushymushy wrote:
tfidean wrote:
Seems we have a right bunch of comedians on here today...more like idiots.
Best you go back to bed you miserable git
LOL!

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beaulieu says...
2:19pm Fri 6 Jul 12

I haven't seen it because I've far better things to do with my time than stand open mouthed staring at smoke signals

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