A FIRE which has destroyed a manufacturing business in Redditch felt like a “mini earthquake”.

Redhill Manufacturing on Padgets Lane has been "significantly damaged" following a fire which broke out on Friday, May 6.

At its peak, more than 50 firefighters from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service were battling the blaze.

Redditch resident Al Jones, aged 48, heard an explosion just after 5 am. He described the fire as sounding like a "mini earthquake" when he went to walk his dog this morning. 

He said: "It was about 5 o clock; I was just preparing to go out for a walk and there was a kind of shudder. 

Redditch Advertiser: Image/ Hereford and Worcester Fire Service. Image/ Hereford and Worcester Fire Service.

"There was a tremor or something. I thought it was a mini earthquake."

He said he heard popping noises that sounded like a car backfiring or gunshots.

He then saw the smoke and took a detour on his walk to find out where the fire was. 

He added: "I was dreading what was happening because someone could be hurt."

 

Fire crews from Worcester, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Droitwich, Ledbury and Hereford were all in attendance with several specialist appliances and officers.

At the time of the incident, assistant chief fire officer Guy Palmer, said: “We have responded with a significant number of appliances, including specialist appliances and good progress is being made in dealing with the incident” 

“We’ve also received cross-border support from West Midlands Fire Service and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.”

People were urged to avoid the area and nearby residents were told to remain indoors, keeping all windows and doors shut.

Luckily, no injuries were reported so West Ambulance Service was stood down.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is “supporting an ongoing investigation by the insurers” to establish the cause of the fire.