'Explosion' at Sussex industrial estate: nearby resident tells of his shock

A nearby resident has spoken of their shock following an 'explosion' at an industrial estate in Sussex.
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West Sussex and Rescue Service was called to a fire involving scrap metal at Lancing Industrial Estate, off of Chartwells Road, Lancing, near Worthing, West Sussex, at 1.35pm today. Eight fire engines and an aerial ladder platform are currently battling the blaze and police have closed nearby roads for safety. Click here for the latest information.Adrian Whyberd was at home in Mersel Crescent, Lancing, when he heard a loud 'explosion' which was so fierce that it sent shockwaves through his house a quarter of a mile away, he said.

"It sounded like something very heavy being dropped," the 56-year-old said.

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"It was a real shock. We immediately checked the property, because it sounded like something had collapsed in the house. Obviously the shockwave was that intense."

Thick black plumes of smoke are rising from the industrial estateThick black plumes of smoke are rising from the industrial estate
Thick black plumes of smoke are rising from the industrial estate

His daughter then ran down their road to see what had happened, and could see the smoke rising into the sky.

Adrian described it as 'acrid black smoke, with flames through the smoke' rising from the estate.

A fire service spokesman said: “Drivers are urged to avoid the area for the time being, and anyone living nearby should keep their windows and doors closed.”

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