Road reopens after firefighters tackle grass fire

Roads have re-opened after firefighters tackled a large grass fire which destroyed several businesses.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) was called to Locking Farm Industrial Estate in Weston-super-Mare at 03:03 BST on Tuesday morning.

The A371 was closed between the Asda Petrol Station on Elm Tree Road and Locking Farm Industrial Estate for most of the day.

"Firefighters have now left the scene and the local roads have reopened," a spokesperson said.

The fire service said crews from Weston, Yatton, Clevedon, Portishead, Southmead, Blagdon, Avonmouth, Kingswood, Yate, Temple, Bedminster, and Chew Magna were in attendance, with Avon and Somerset Police also assisting with road closures.

Nick Sumption lives across the road from the fire and told BBC Radio Bristol: "Once I realised the size of the fire, I started having a bit of a panic.

"Fortunately, it didn't cross the road but if the wind had changed we could have been in trouble," he added.

Martin Fey, who manages the business units on the site, said he went to the scene at 04:00 BST.

"It's a tragedy for those businesses that have gone, but nobody was hurt, so we're OK," he said.

He added that it would take a "long, long time to get back to normal".

Business owner Jonathan Harvey said he had been woken up by a knock on the door just after 03:00.

Harvey, who has owned an MOT centre at the site since 2012, said the fire was "devastating".

"It's all gone. There were flames everywhere. After 40 minutes, I couldn't watch anymore," he said.

He said he had spoken to his insurance company, but it was going to be a "waiting game".

Harvey said he had received "amazing" support since the fire broke out, adding: "It brought a tear to my eye."

AFRS Area Commander Steve Quinton said 75 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze.

Although the cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage, Quinton said: "We are confident that the fire started in the field because of the footage and eyewitness statements and the way that the fire developed."

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