image credit: East Sussex Fire and Rescue
East Sussex Fire and Rescue: 9 February 2019, update 10 February 2019: Local BBC news service quotes Justine Davis on Twitter: the blast “shook our building and our souls”
At 9:43 last night (February 9) East Sussex Fire and Rescue posted on their Twitter feed, “We are currently tackling a fire at an industrial building on Drury Lane, St Leonards. 6 engines from Hastings, The Ridge, Bexhill, Battle, Broad Oak and Pevensey are attending. Please avoid the area”.
A spokesperson for East Sussex Fire and Rescue later said on their website, “At 21:04,firefighters from Hastings, The Ridge, Bexhill, Battle, Broad Oak and Pevensey were called to a fire in an industrial building on Drury Lane, St Leonards. An Aerial Ladder Platform was also requested to attend from Brighton.
“As of 23:00, a 200 meter cordon has been put in place. Local residents have been evacuated and local authorities have set up a temporary rest centre for those affected”.
An update was offered this morning, 10 February, “Update- 07:29- One appliance from Hastings is still in attendance. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut:”.
The Argus reported (9 February) ,” a refuge area has been set up for those evacuated to take shelter. No injuries have been reported so far.”
Sussex Fire Control said on their twitter feed this morning (09:48),”Crews still on scene at fire in Drury Lane, St Leonards. Smoke still visible in area”.
The BBC on their local news service reported in an update this morning (11:10) “St Leonards homes cleared amid industrial building fire: About 50 people have been evacuated from their homes after a fire broke out in an industrial building. Locals reported hearing a “very loud explosion” after the blaze in Drury Lane, St Leonards-on-Sea, started at about 21:00 GMT on Saturday. Justine Davis said on Twitter the blast “shook our building and our souls”.
