Distribution company Evri is counting the cost and trying to minimise disruption to customers after a devastating fire tore through its warehouse in Avonmouth today. The firm said that an investigation will take place into the cause of the blaze.
A spokesperson for Evri confirmed that all staff are safe and the fire has now been extinguished. A number of parcels have been damaged by smoke and flames but the company says that the "vast majority" of outbound deliveries had left the warehouse by the time the fire broke this afternoon, Tuesday, April 16.
Multiple emergency services responded to the large fire at the Evri warehouse, in Boundary Road, Avonmouth, and thick black smoke could be seen for miles around. Those living and working in the area were told to keep windows and doors closed due to the risk from toxic fumes from the blaze.
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It is not clear how many parcels have been destroyed in the fire, nor how much disruption it will cause to deliveries taking place in the coming days and weeks. The company has made alternative plans to ensure people get their parcels.
The full statement from Evri reads: “Fire services attended a fire at our Avonmouth depot earlier today, all colleagues on site are safe and the fire has now been put out. Our main priority has been to ensure that all colleagues are safe, the cause of the fire will be fully investigated in due course.
"There were very few parcels at the site at the time with the vast majority of outbound deliveries having left the building. We have quickly made plans for alternative arrangements to minimise disruption to deliveries taking place over the next few days.”
Avon Fire and Rescue Service sent 16 fire engines to the site earlier this afternoon. In the most recent update from the fire service, eight engines remain at the scene. Avon and Somerset Police were also in attendance to provide traffic management.
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