Eleven dogs helped to safety during major fire at Lancing Business Park
Eleven dogs were helped to safety as firefighters tackled a major blaze, involving two industrial buildings in Lancing.
Photographs show firefighters leading dogs along Chartwell Road, during the emergency at Lancing Business Park, on Thursday evening (October 22). Plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles, at the height of the incident.
An eye-witness reported that eleven dogs were assisted from the fire.
The Little Doggy Day Care Sussex, which lists its address as 43 Chartwell Road, said all its pups had been brought out safely during the emergency on Thursday evening (October 22).
In a Facebook post, the business thanked staff, firefighters and owners, saying its rehearsed fire evacuations had proved valuable.
“Thank the heavens we practiced Fire Evacuations,” it wrote.
The business praised the dogs’ behaviour and thanked owners for staying calm, adding: “We would get all the pups out safe.”
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service renewed its warning to nearby residents, as crews continued working at the scene, at 7pm.
“We remain at the scene of a large fire in Lancing Business Park in Chartwell Road,” the service said in an update.
“Due to the large amount of smoke, we advise keeping windows and doors shut and avoiding the area.”
The alarm was first raised at 4.24pm, with the service receiving around 50 calls to 999.
Six fire engines, a water carrier and an aerial ladder platform were at the scene, according to its earlier statement.
A spokesperson said: “The fire is involving two industrial buildings and crews are working hard to bring the fire under control.”
The latest update, at 8.30pm, read: “The incident is being scaled back, but we will remain on scene damping down any remaining hotspots.
“All residents living nearby are urged to continue to keep their windows and doors closed for the time being and to avoid the area.”
Chartwell Road has been closed, between Marlborough Road and Spencer Road.