Lancing Business Park shares update after major fire

A blaze affecting two industrial properties in Chartwell Road broke out shortly after 4pm on Thursday, October 22.

At the height of the incident, six fire engines, a water carrier and an aerial ladder platform were used at the scene.

LBP said it is ‘pleased to report the fire is completely out’ and ‘access has been restored to all areas of the park’.

Crews from West Sussex were still on-site on Friday morning (October 23) damping down hotspots.

In a statement, an LBP spokesperson said: “LBP doesn't even know where to start with the thanks we need to give to all the emergency services who started flooding onto the park at 4.33pm yesterday.

"As well as the businesses who immediately called 999, supported the emergency services and even provided hot drinks and facilities as the officers braved a difficult fire in horrendous weather.

“WSFRS received more than fifty 999 calls, every one of these calls was as important as the others. Thank you everyone and please never stop immediately dialling 999 if you see smoke on the park. Your call could make all the difference in alerting the emergency services and speeding up the response.

"LBP was on the A27 when the phone started to ring and ring and ring, before it was safe to pull over. Thank you everyone as this enabled LBP to quickly return to the park to assist.

"We apologise for the calls we were unable to take whilst dealing with this incident, as there was a lot to co-ordinate to help keep everyone safe and moving.”

The business park thanked local businesses for their support, and praised staff for their ‘immediate and skilful reactions’ during the incident.

One member of staff was injured and is receiving treatment at Worthing Hospital, according to LBP.

The statement continued: “We would like to thank Shoreham Vehicle Auctions who, without question, supported the closure of Chartwell Road by throwing traffic cones into their van and immediately delivering the cones to the entrance of Chartwell Road.

"This action assisted Sussex Police in enforcing the essential cordon to help keep everyone safe. We would also like to thank J&H Automotive who happily dropped everything to offer assistance to LBP.

“Biffa and Bidfood kicked straight into action providing site access for the emergency vehicles, facilities for the officers and essential hot drinks to keep them going whilst it poured down all evening. The professional emergency response and caring demonstrated by both these businesses is to be highly commended and for which LBP is very grateful.

"Biffa remained on site until the response was scaled down late into the evening, when they were supposed to leave around the time the fire started.

"Bidfood operates 24/7 and they did everything possible to divert vehicles and keep the road clear for the emergency services, with staff evacuated and waiting patiently outside the cordon, until it was safe to return to site and start their night shift.

"Bidfood worked with LBP to minimise movements and LBP would like to thank their truck drivers for driving at a snails pace when marshalled out of their site, as this ensured the emergency services were not put at risk.

“LBP would like to thank to Sussex Police who remained on the park until gone 10pm, when it was finally safe to reopen Chartwell Road.

"They had a difficult job in the rain, keeping everyone at a safe distance from the fire, as the nature of scrapyard fires are prone to unexpected explosions and distance is the key here.

“We leave our biggest thanks to WSFRS, whose exemplary work ensured the fire was contained within just two metal structures, preventing damage to all of the adjoining sites.

"This required fire trucks from multiple fire stations across West Sussex, a lifting platform, additional water supply and incredible skills and hard work. Two crews even stayed all night to ensure the fire did not reignite and they will continue to monitor until there is no longer any chance of further fire.

“We are so lucky on LBP to have the support of our emergency services, as they always do us proud. Thank you everyone!”