The cause of the blaze at Bedfordshire Growers in Biggleswade was accidental, the county’s fire service has concluded today.
An investigation has found the fire on April 19 was started accidentally within a refrigeration unit at the front of a lorry parked adajecent to the main building in Potton Road.
The blaze then spread to the rest of the trailer and to the warehouse building – requiring more than 70 firefighters to attend the scene.
Following the investigation, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued prevention advice to businesses that regularly receive deliveries.
John Foolkes, group commander and business and commercial safety manager, said: “Those managing warehouses and other distribution centres are urged to ensure that vehicles are not parked adjacent to or close to property as any fires within these could spread to the main buildings.
“Businesses should also not locate refuse bins or any combustibles close to the building. These should be stored some way from any other buildings to avoid the risk of fire spreading from these.
“As a preventative measure businesses should consider fitting an effective sprinkler system to their buildings as these would have suppressed the fire and kept damage to a minimum.”
For further advice, visit bedsfire.com/CommunitySafety/BusinessFireSafety.
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