Fire crews from Wells, Shepton Mallet, Street and Castle Cary were among those called to a major blaze at a derelict building in Frome.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was first called to the fire at a three-storey building on Kingsway, on the Saxonvale site, on Wednesday afternoon, 1 July. At the height of the incident, eight pumping appliances and specialist equipment were sent as firefighters battled the flames.

Crews attended from Frome, Street, Castle Cary, Shepton Mallet and Wells, with further support requested from neighbouring fire and rescue services in Avon, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Fire chiefs said the building was fully engulfed in fire and warned that the structure was unstable. A cordon was set up around the site, and nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed because of thick smoke.

There were no reports of any casualties.

The fire involved the Western Warehouse, a derelict building on the Saxonvale site which has become part of long-running regeneration plans. The warehouse had stood empty for many years and was regarded by many residents as an important part of Frome's industrial heritage.

In an update issued at 5.30 am on Thursday, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire had been extinguished and all crews had left the scene.

The service said the building suffered around 80 per cent fire damage and was 100 per cent affected by smoke. The roof collapsed during the incident, and the cause of the fire is now under investigation.

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