Crews still battling industrial fire after blasts heard

Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large fire that broke out following explosions at an industrial unit.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service was called to Emery Road in the Brislington area of Bristol at about 14:30 BST on Tuesday. Firefighters from nine stations across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire were at the scene.

The BBC understands the roof of the building on fire has collapsed, although the blaze is now under control. Emery Road remains closed, causing extra traffic on surrounding roads.

A fire service spokesperson said: "Our attendance has now been scaled down to five fire engines, but crews remain at the scene and are still working to fully extinguish the fire."

James Mizen, who owns a business next door to where the fire broke out, said the fire service was there quickly.

"Within a few minutes, there were several fire engines," he said.

"[There was] lots and lots of black smoke, a couple of explosions.

"Within 10 minutes we were evacuated, and we've been here [on the street] for the last hour-and-a-half."

The fire service spokesperson added: "Cordons remain in place, and we are asking people to continue to avoid the area where possible.

"Residents and businesses nearby should continue to keep windows and doors closed while there is smoke in the area."

The fire service said an investigation into the cause of the fire had not yet begun.

Avon and Somerset Police also went to the fire. A 200m cordon was put in place and officers evacuated an area around the warehouse.

Georgie Attwood, who works on nearby Bonville Road, said her office was evacuated by police two hours after the fire broke out.

"We all ran to have a look. It was pretty crazy," she said.

"It was a weird thing to know that there was a fire and explosions right where you are. It was quite scary."

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