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Warehouse fire was 'biggest in county for this year'
THE fire at the warehouse in Aylesbury was the biggest in the county this year, a senior fire officer has revealed.
The blaze has completely destroyed the warehouse at the back the of RR Donnelley, in Gatehouse Road, and their offices in front have also been badly damaged.
Firefighters were this morning using a crane to pour water on the smouldering remains of the site.
Des Williamson, assistant chief fire officer at Bucks Fire and Rescue, said: "We will be here for a good few days to come in one shape or another."
"It was a very big fire, the biggest we have had in Buckinghamshire this year. There was a huge great smoke cloud over Aylesbury and it didn't smell very nice I can tell you."
About 60 repeat emergency calls reporting the fire were made at around 5.20pm and at its height 70 firemen were fighting to put it out.
They had initially believed they were going out to a pallet fire in the yard of the premises, but upon arrival realised it had spread extremely quickly.
Officer Williamson said the flames were eventually brought under control at around 8.30pm. He added that the job was made difficult because of the fear of nearby gas canisters exploding, and because the warehouse contained mainly books and electronic equipment.
"I would like to pay tribute to the skill and professionalism of the crews that attended last night, both from the fire and police services," he said. "We have had no reports of any injuries to either the public or the firefighters and to me that's the biggest thing I can ask for."
An investigation was this morning started to find out the cause of the blaze. A hydrocarbon detector dog is currently being used in the search for clues.
Eyewitnesses at the scene also reported two explosions just after the blaze had begun, thought to be gas canisters. They said debris had shot up hundreds of feet in to the air and landed in the road.
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Weather for Aylesbury
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
