Crews Tackle Large Garage Fire

At 11:52 on Monday 23rd May 2011, Hampshire firefighters were called to a fire at Hangersley Hill Road near Ringwood.

Control operators mobilised fire appliances from Ringwood, Burley, Fordingbridge, Andover and Beaulieu together with the Water Carrier from Fordingbridge, the Special Equipment Unit from St Mary's and the Multi-Role Vehicle from Eastleigh Fire Station and a fire appliance from Ferndown Fire Station in Dorset. 

The Incident Command Unit from Service Headquarters in Eastleigh was also mobilised to the scene,

Over 40 firefighters plus senior officers and support staff were in attendance.  The fire involved a building measuring 40m by 10m used as three separate workshops.  40% of the single story building was damaged by fire. 

One casualty was taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service.

The officer in charge of the incident Station Manager Steve Ransley said:

"Firefighters worked very hard to stop the spreading to two other workshops and separate buildings on the small industrial type estate and had it not been for their sterling efforts this would have been a much more serious incident."

"This type of site can be challenging for crews as a number of different types of businesses can co-exist. 

"It is important that any hazardous materials or equipment  or other risks are identified and brought to the attention of the fire service. 

"It is vital for each premise to have an adequate risk assessment in place to use in the event of an incident such as this. 

"Our Rural Safety Officer also mobilised to the site to give information and advice to the neighbouring business of the affected building."

A fire investigation is being carried out to determine the cause of the fire which was extinguished just before 3pm