St Albans fire: Businesses on industrial estate destroyed

Around 100 firefighters tackled the fire on an industrial estate that started in a car workshop and spread to other parts of the building.

Footage showed a row of businesses situated within the same building off London Road engulfed in flames as crews from Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue worked for hours to bring the fire under control.

The fire broke out at a car workshop before spreading. Credit: Twitter/@ladydoingitall

Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries but a huge amount of damage has been caused.

Photos show extreme fire damage to large parts of the single storey building, including to the roof and interior.

Fire damage. Credit: Simon Tuhill

I’m just leaving the scene of the #fire in #StAlbans. Immensely proud of the hard work of all of the 100 firefighters who attended today. I saw great firefighting tactics & sheer determination to stop fire spread. This early drone footage shows how significant the fire was. pic.twitter.com/pyuXg3oLnU

— Simon Tuhill (@HFRS_ACFO) July 25, 2022

Crossfit Gym has launched a fundraising page after it said its home of nine years was lost in the “horrific fire”. More than £12,500 has been raised in less than a day.

The winner of Fittest Man in the UK 2020, Zack George has also decided to donate profits from his brand new clothing collection with MP Activewear to the St Albans gym branch.

Meanwhile, another gym called Combat reported it had to close for the night saying the gym had caught fire.

Private ambulance service MET Medical described the fire as “extensive” and said it caused fire and water damage to multiple properties including the one it occupies.

Firefighters on the scene. Credit: Simon Tuhill

Assistant chief fire officer for Hertfordshire Simon Tuhill, who was on the scene, said he was “immensely proud” of the work done by firefighters saying they displayed “sheer determination” to limit the spread.

He added he learned the building had historical significance saying: “From 1913 until 1985 it was the ‘Vickers Experimental Tank’ which had a 135m long, 600,000 gallon water tank to test scale models and prototypes of ships and boats including, apparently, Royal Yacht Britannia.”

We have 10 fire engines and 50 firefighters at the scene of this fire in #StAlbans. https://t.co/RLwZLcpp5K

— Simon Tuhill (@HFRS_ACFO) July 25, 2022

Twelve fire engines attended the scene from across Hertfordshire with an aerial latter platform also used. A water rescue unit was also in attendance along with an incident command unit with 83 999 calls made as huge plumes of smoke drifted across the sky.

London Road was closed by police from around 11am when the fire broke out all the way into the night as firefighters remained on-site to dampen down. The fire had been brought under control by 6.45pm.

Road closure in London Road by the entrance to the industrial estate. Credit: Rob H

Network Rail said there was no need to trains to be stopped after the fire broke out close to the railway line.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.