RESIDENTS told of their shock after a fire broke out at a garage in Weymouth.

Firecrews rushed to Holly Road in Westham this morning after workers in the area reported seeing smoke coming from commercial premises.

Police were called and had to close roads in the area to ensure emergency services could work at the scene.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

The same garage was the scene of a major fire in September 2018 when residents had to be evacuated in the early hours.

Initial reports from this morning's incident suggested there was a "gas explosion" but this was not the case.

Contractors for gas distribution company SGN were working in the road to fix a gas leak and raised the alarm after seeing smoke coming from the garage.

The fire service said there may have been the sound of an explosion caused by batteries within the garage during the fire.

Two crews of Weymouth firefighters battled the blaze after being alerted around 9.45am. They were there until about midday.

A resident said: "We called the emergency gas number at the weekend after smelling gas in our house. SGN came and after investigations found the leak was actually out in the road.

"When I saw the fire engines I presumed it was to do with the gas leak. When I heard it was the garage I panicked because I thought it was going to be a repeat of last time and I would have to get the children out of the house. But a policeman said we wouldn't have to evacuate.

"It was all very dramatic and they had to close off the road. I hope everyone is okay."

Following the incident, SGN confirmed they had been fixing a gas leak in the road, unrelated to the fire.

A spokesman from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The gas board were in the area dealing with a gas leak, when contractors for the gas company saw smoke emanating from the garage.

"They thought it would be unwise to dig up the road and instead reported it.

"Two crews from Weymouth attended and used two breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. There were no casualties."

Police also attended and cordoned off a section of Holly Road. Traffic was also being prevented entering Highland Road at its junction with Cromwell Road.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police was called by the fire service at 10.09am on Monday to a report of a gas explosion on Holly Road in Weymouth.

"It is also reported that there was a fire at a property on Holly Road.

"Emergency services attended the scene and the road was closed at the junction with Cromwell Road. "It has been established that both incidents were separate and the gas incident was made safe.

"As a result of enquiries, the fire is not being treated as suspicious."

Resident John Lambert said the narrow road makes it difficult for cars to park and for traffic to get through, and called for traffic measures to deal with this. Mr Lambert said he thinks it would make it difficult for the fire engine to get in and out.

“It is a nightmare," he added. "They should have parking measures up here. This is all wrong. They can’t get down here, it’s ridiculous.”

Firecrews have previously raised concerns about parking in certain areas making it difficult for fire engines to access properties. However the fire service said crews had not experienced access issues during yesterday's incident.  

  • Additional reporting by James Moules.