Wills destroyed as fire damages warehouse

The blaze at Appleyard in Sandy Lane, , is believed to have started from sparks from burning rubbish being carried on the wind beneath the eaves of the corrugated roof . More than 30 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze and crews were still at the scene today, damping down.

The alarm was raised by a passer-by.

Palls of thick smoke greeted crews from Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley as they arrived at the scene of the blaze in the single-storey warehouse shortly after 12.30am yesterday.

They battled to prevent the blaze spreading but were hampered by the wind.

A vehicle belonging to A J Nicholls & Son Ltd, a family-run removals and storage business, was moved from near the building.

Among items stored in the building were furniture and solicitors documents, which were thought to include wills.

Onlookers were kept away from from the removals and storage yard because of fears of danger and Bridgnorth Road was closed off by police for a time, causing traffic tailbacks.

Motorists found the road closed at the junction with the Wolverley Road.

Officers allowed traffic to pass single file southbound, but prevented drivers from travelling north.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "It was very difficult for crews to extinguish the blaze as the roof collapsed on top of the furniture and paperwork stored in the building.

"Fortunately, no-one was injured and no-one needed to be evacuated from their homes.

"Because of the nature of the blaze crews were out there overnight and were today carrying out damping down operations."

"They used a hose reel jet at the scene and faced difficulty because of the roof collapse.

"It is likely that crews will be at the scene for much of today ensuring that there is no new outbreak of fire."

No one at the warehouse would comment today.