Industrial fire compared to nuclear bomb blast

May 20 2009 By Adam Courtney

The fire in Littleton Lane

STARTLED residents likened a massive fire at a Shepperton industrial site to a "nuclear bomb going off" after a series of explosions sent thick black smoke into the sky.

The plume travelled as far a field as Ashford and Stanwell and residents were advised to keep windows shut to avoid soot getting into their houses.

At least one industrial unit at the site, in Littleton Lane, was completely destroyed in the blaze, which set alight tyres and rubbish and caused five gas cannisters to explode. The road remained closed until 1am on Tuesday morning.

One woman, in nearby Ashhurst Way, who didn't want to be named, said: "It was like a nuclear explosion. The black cloud of smoke was just enormous and it reminded me of the images I've seen on TV of nuclear testing.

"I was just preparing dinner when I smelled something burning. I had a look out of the window and saw the black cloud. I've never seen anything like it. I went out the front and then heard three explosions.

"A woman came over and told me to go inside and keep the windows closed and then, a bit later, the sky was clear again."

People at Littleton Sailing Club, opposite the explosion, were enjoying a barbecue when the blaze started.

Club harbour master Charlie Pepper said: "I'm not sure how many were there but they heard a series of bangs."

Andy Blackwell, from Ashford, was driving in Feltham when he saw the smoke in the distance. He said: "At first I thought it was a dark cloud but then I realised it was smoke. I followed it to the site and then heard the explosions.

"By the time I got home, the cloud was over Ashford and heading for Feltham."

On Monday (May 18), when the Herald & News paid a visit to nearby residential roads, a worker who lives in a caravan at the industrial estate, which belongs to Kent-based construction firm the Brett Group, also the owner of the adjacent quarry and mining land, was roaming the streets unable to get to his home because the road was still closed.

Kazik Jaszkowski, who works at George Killoughery Ltd Plant & Machinery Hire, said: "I came home from Poland on Sunday and I could not get in. I don't know what to do, I have no money or anywhere to stay."

Clive Sherliker, estates manager for the Brett Group, which leases the estate, said: "The main people affected are the ones directly in the centre of the site but at this stage I cannot be sure who they are. Remarkably, most other units were not badly damaged."