“Unsprinklered Essex warehouse destroyed in devastating blaze” reports Business Sprinkler Alliance

The huge fire in early September occurred at Eastways Industrial Estate in Witham and required 90 firefighters, 12 appliances and specialist equipment from Essex Country Fire and Rescue Service. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, but four crews remained in position overnight, using an aerial ladder to monitor for hot spots at the 4,000 m² building.

Essex fire chiefs praised crews’ ‘incredibly hard’ efforts in bringing the blaze under control and protecting surrounding properties. It was also reported that teams would be supporting businesses and community members impacted by the fire. The initial investigation revealed the fire’s cause as being accidental.

The warehouse served as the headquarters and Distribution Centre for Dalebrook, a business that sold food display ware. The company had been in residence at the location for more than 30 years and shared the building with GBL Ltd, the manufacturer of plastic retail displays.

The financial cost to the two businesses has not been reported. However, both companies will need to find alternative premises. Therefore, the interruption to business operations, along with the destruction of stock, is likely to come at a severe cost.

Restricted access

With access to the industrial estate restricted during the firefighting operation and the clean up process, other businesses were also impacted by the blaze. Its effect on the wider community has included residents being advised to keep all doors and windows closed due to harmful smoke, road closures and a number of measures employed with a view towards minimising the impact of pollution on the local environment.  

The combustible nature of the warehouse’s contents is likely to have played a part in the fire’s rapid escalation. The resulting damage and impact to business and the wider community highlights once again the need for sprinkler protection in commercial buildings, particularly so where combustible materials are present.

According to the Business Sprinkler Alliance, fire sprinklers should be at the core of a commercial building’s design and construction. Their installation protects lives and businesses and supports fire crews, providing an initial line of defence by detecting and suppressing a blaze before it takes significant hold.

Long-term operational risk

In serious warehouse fires, damage isn’t restricted to the building itself. Fires pose a significant risk to a business’ long-term operation, jeopardise jobs and employees’ mental well-being and, potentially, can lead to a company owner’s lifelong hopes and dreams literally going up in smoke.

“Sprinklers help to extinguish that threat,” observes the Business Sprinkler Alliance, “and should be a fundamental element of resilience planning.”

*For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org