WITNESSES have spoken of their shock as a motorhome went up in flames at a petrol station.
Firefighters raced to the Morrisons petrol station in Dorchester Road, Weymouth, after receiving a call at 9.11am today after a vehicle became engulfed by flames while at the pumps.
- READ MORE: Fire at Morrisons petrol station in Weymouth
The front end of the vehicle was completely burnt out. It is believed the occupants escaped from the vehicle unharmed.
Dorchester Road was partially closed for emergency services and police attended to direct traffic away from the supermarket.
The road has now reopened.
Weymouth resident, Barbara Davis, 66, went to Morrisons supermarket to do some shopping this morning with her husband when they witnessed the blaze.
She said: "We just came out and my husband said what's that smoke, I looked across, and then we realised there were flames as well. We thought we better get out quick and managed to get in the car and drive out.
"As we drove past we could feel the heat from the fire and staff were all out in the road trying to direct the traffic away to stop anybody else coming in and to make sure that nobody was getting too close to it.
Describing the fire Mrs Davis said: "It was very intense and very hot. We didn't have any windows open but we could feel the heat in the car and it was really strong. As we came out into the road we could still feel the heat and could see the smoke was getting quite thick.
"I think we left just a few minutes before the fire engines arrived."
She added: "It must have gone up really quick though because we were only in the shop around five, maybe 10 minutes.
"It was just the billowing smoke we saw and then we saw flames starting to come out - and by the time it took us to drive past the garage the flames started to get really big. It was quite a shock.
"We were very concerned about the camper van and if anyone was in there."
Another witness, James Tourgout, was at the scene whilst emergency services were there. He said: "It could have been pretty catastrophic if the whole station blew up. The firefighters must have done well in a very pressurised situation.
"When I went up there, they were diverting traffic along Icen Road and Mercery Road. All of Spa Road was pretty congested."
A Morrisons spokesperson said: "Our petrol station will remain closed until further notice but thankfully no-one was hurt. The main store is now back open too."
On the scene, district fire commander for Weymouth and Portland, James Plumley said: “Crews have been called to a significant fire of a large camper van. The cause at this moment is unknown.
"Significant damage has been caused to the forecourt, to the roof and to the petrol pumping equipment. It has completely destroyed the camper van.
"Crews from Weymouth and Dorchester are here and an aerial ladder platform from Weymouth is en route. There are about 18 to 19 firefighters on the scene.
“Crews have done an excellent job at stopping the fire from spreading.”
The brigade was alerted at 9.11am.
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