A historic First World Struggle airfield is on hearth with residents urgently warned to remain inside over fears asbestos is within the smoke.
Crews had been known as to Outdated Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, Wiltshire, at 6.38pm on Thursday after a fireplace broke out at Grade II listed Hangar 3.
It took solely two hours for the constructing to partially collapse, with flames spreading to the adjoining Hangar.
Dorset and Wiltshire Hearth and Rescue Service mentioned: ‘Because of the potential for unknown chemical compounds, please keep inside and hold your home windows closed to keep away from the smoke.’
No casualties have been reported.
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The service added at 10pm: ‘Firefighters are persevering with to deal with the blaze which is affecting two partially derelict buildings.
‘They’re utilizing floor screens and an aerial ladder platform to extinguish.
‘Because of the age of the constructing, we suspect the smoke plume could include asbestos however investigations are ongoing.
‘Native residents are suggested to please hold home windows and doorways shut and keep inside as a precaution because of the smoke within the space.’
A number of crews from Amesbury, Salisbury, Ludgershall, Andover and Ringwood have been concerned within the operation.
The blaze comes only a week after plans for as much as 315 houses to be constructed on the location had been authorised following a prolonged planning dispute.
The airfield, which lies inside the setting of a scheduled monument, is recognised by the federal government as a nationally vital archaeological website.
Planning approval had included a requirement for the airfield operators to restore Hangar 3, which suffered structural injury throughout Storm Isha in January.
In its determination, the Planning Inspectorate mentioned the heritage advantages of the scheme ‘outweighed’ the potential hurt.
Hangar 3 is one in every of seven on the Outdated Sarum website, which initially served as a coaching depot station for day bombing raids through the First World Struggle.
By 1919, it was additionally dwelling to the Faculty of Military Co-Operation.
Wiltshire Police, who’re aiding on the scene, warned the general public to not cross security cordons.
A spokesperson mentioned: ‘A number of folks have been obstructing emergency employees in an try to take photographs of the burning constructing.
‘Please keep away from the world and respect cordons – they’re in place to guard you.’
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