Huge fire breaks out at Evri parcel warehouse
The distribution centre in Avonmouth is spewing thick black smoke visible from the M5 motorway.
Evri has said that a fire at one of their warehouses will do little to alter their level of service.
The delivery firm say only a minimal number of parcels would be affected by the fire which broke out in Avonmouth, near Bristol, earlier today.
The distribution centre on Boundary Road in Avonmouth is spewing thick black smoke visible from the M5 motorway.
16 fire crews were called to the scene at around 1.30pm, with locals told to keep their windows and doors closed.
There were around 30 members of staff working in the warehouse at the time, but all were evacuated unharmed, an Evri spokesperson said.
The spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘Fire services attended a fire at our Avonmouth depot earlier today, all colleagues on site are safe and the fire has now been put out.
‘Our main priority has been to ensure that all colleagues are safe, the cause of the fire will be fully investigated in due course.
‘There were very few parcels at the site at the time with the vast majority of outbound deliveries having left the building.
‘We have quickly made plans for alternative arrangements to minimise disruption to deliveries taking place over the next few days.’
Discussing the impact on deliveries, the spokesperson added: ‘The site handles a very small proportion of our total deliveries – a small single digit percentage.
‘The vast majority of outbound parcels to households had left the site, no ParcelShop parcels were on site and inbound deliveries have been diverted to other depots.
‘We are working to minimise any disruption and customers seeking an update can track their parcels via our usual service routes.’
Avon Fire and Rescue said: ‘We currently have 16 appliances in attendance at a warehouse fire in Avonmouth.
‘If you live and work in the local area, we’d advise you to keep your windows and doors shut. More updates to follow.’
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 13.52pm today to warehouse fire at Avonmouth.
‘We have sent a commander and hazardous area response team to the scene.’
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