Bristol fire: Evri warehouse up in flames as huge blaze causes delivery chaos
An Evri warehouse has been engulfed by a fire with plumes of smoke billowing over a major UK motorway
@BristolLive Evri on fire in Avonmouth... pic.twitter.com/qL2tusWCwE
— Jess ?????? (@jessmasonx) April 16, 2024
A huge fire has engulfed an Evri warehouse in Bristol as footage from the scene shows massive flames sending thick smoke into the air.
The warehouse in Avonmouth appeared to be entirely ablaze with a nearby car in the parking lot also in flames. Footage from social media showed that a large part of the depot was already on fire at 1.35pm today (April 16).
It is currently unknown what started the blaze, but it's understood emergency crews have been at the scene. Smoke coming from the site billowed over the M5 and led to a couple of local road closures.
Evri has said its staff are all accounted for and that they are safe, adding the fire has now been put out. The local fire service has yet to confirm the fire has been extinguished.
A spokesperson for the company said on Wednesday (April 17): "We can confirm that no one was injured in yesterday’s fire and no parcels were damaged. The damage was mostly superficial, and the site will be operational in the coming hours.
"The site handles a very small proportion of our total deliveries and we’re working hard [to] minimise disruption to service, a small number of customers may see a slight delay 24- 48 hours following re-routing yesterday."
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Hazard response team sent to Avonmouth blaze, ambulance service says
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said the organisation was called at 1.52pm today to a warehouse fire at Avonmouth.
The spokesperson added: "We have sent a Commander and hazardous area response team to the scene."
Evri has plans to minimise disruption as majority of parcels had left depot before fire, firm says
Evri has just issued a statement saying all staff who were on site are safe and the fire has now been put out.
The statement adds that the company's main priority has been to ensure all colleagues are safe and the cause of the fire will be fully investigated in due course.
It continues: "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."
Firefighters still at the scene in Avonmouth
Avon Fire & Rescue Service has just said crews are still tackling the fire.
It said in an update posted on X: "Please be advised to avoid the local area where possible around St Andrews Road, Avonmouth".
In another update posted at about 3.50pm, the service said its operation had been scaled back to eight appliances.
Smoke blown across roads affecting traffic around Avonmouth fire
Heavy traffic has been reported due to smoke billowing across the A403 St Andrew's Road in both directions from the A4 (St Andrews Gate Roundabout) to Severnside Trading Estate.
What is Evri?
The business which went on to become Evri started out as a mail order company almost half a century ago.
It launched under the Evri name in March 2022 after a rebrand from Hermes UK.
Evri says it now has more than 20,000 couriers, over 14,000 one-stop ParcelShops and Lockers and a growing network of hubs and depots.
It provides deliveries for anyone who wants to send a parcel in the UK and to more than 220 destinations worldwide.
Smoke from Avonmouth fire visible three miles away
Smoke from the Avonmouth fire has reportedly been seen up to three miles away at Blaise Castle on the northern edge of Bristol.
X user Tim Shires posted a photo on the platform, adding: "Smoke from the Evri fire in Avonmouth - can see from walking the dog at Blaise Castle".
Smoke from the Evri fire in Avonmouth - can see from walking the dog at Blaise Castle @TristanCorkPost pic.twitter.com/lCEiik7max
\u2014 Tim Shires (@timshires) April 16, 2024
Avonmouth fire closes roads
Avon and Somerset Police officers are helping the fire service with road closures.
Access 18, which is a local access road, and part of Boundary Road have been closed, according to the police.
Fire service sends 16 appliances to Avonmouth blaze
Avon Fire & Rescue Service has said 16 appliances have been sent to the fire in Avonmouth.
We currently have 16 appliances in attendance at a warehouse fire in Avonmouth. If you live and work in the local area, we\u2019d advise you to keep your windows and doors shut. More updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/caolFHOQt4
\u2014 Avon Fire & Rescue Service (@AvonFireRescue) April 16, 2024
Locals urged to keep windows and doors closed
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is urging people in the area to keep windows and doors closed.
A spokesperson said: "We’re currently in attendance at warehouse fire in Avonmouth.
"We would advise people living or working in the local area to close their doors and windows."
Where is Evri's Avonmouth depot?
Evri's Avonmouth depot is between Bristol and Portishead. It's not far from the M5 motorway and the Bristol Channel.
Footage shows black plumes of smoke
Video shared on social media shows thick, black smoke billowing across what appears to be a car park.
The X user who posted the clip wrote: "Big fire at Evri Avonmouth. Hope everyone’s okay!"
Big fire at Evri Avonmouth. Hope everyone\u2019s okay! pic.twitter.com/RRj5RXG10n
\u2014 jade (@jxdeupton) April 16, 2024
Plumes of smoke picked up by traffic cameras
These are current scenes on the M5, the nearest major motorway to the depot.
What we know so far
- The fire has spread to a neighbouring car on the premises
- Depot is fully alight - number of evacuees or workers on site is currently unknown.
- Smoke can be seen billowing from neighbouring roads
