Council building expert helps fire and rescue team

An expert in building construction from Herefordshire Council is assisting the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in the aftermath of an overnight fire in Hereford.

The blaze at Wyvern Tyres on the Holmer Trading Estate left a pall of thick black smoke across part of the city when it broke out shortly before 7pm yesterday.

Overnight senior building control surveyor Charles Jones worked with the fire and rescue service to assess the potential for the building to collapse.

"We received a phone call last night and Charles attended. He gave advice on the stability of the structure and assessed whether the building was safe for firemen to enter," said Chris Jenner, the council's building control manager.

"This morning Charles was back at the scene to advise on whether the building, or parts of it, need to be demolished - a key decision due to the location of the building which is adjacent to the main Hereford-Worcester railway line."

The council's emergency planning team was also on standby overnight and was prepared to evacuate homes if it had been necessary.

In the meantime the railway line has now been re-opened with trains passing at walking pace.