Window company premises "virtually destroyed" by fire

A fire broke out at a Industrial Estate unit last night and has "virtually destoyed" the premises of Avon Window Company Ltd. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called just before 3am this morning, 29 August, by people alerting them to a "smell of burning" in the area of the Orchard Industrial Estate South, Lower Union Road, Kingsbridge.

When crews investigated the scene, they found a 20M X 40M unit "well alight" and "requested a further four fire engines to assist". 

Dartmouth Fire Station shared a photo of the efforts to extinguish the blaze 

Robin Dunford, founder and director of Avon Window Company posted to social media this afteroon to say that the "devastating fire" their premises had been "virtually destroyed". 

Robin said: "Many thanks to the members of the fire service for attending and doing what you could. Due to the complete loss of our stock and materials together with records and correspondence etc I apologise to anyone who is expecting us this week. 

"We will be in touch as soon as we are able but please contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries."

Units from Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury, Kingston, Ivybridge, Totnes, Greenbank and Dartmouth attended the scene and fire-fighter fought the blaze for more than three hours before the incident could be scaled back, with crews continuing to dampen hotspots and make the scene safe until nearly 11am. 

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "This was a fire in a two-storey commercial property, the middle industrial unit of a row, which was 80% damaged by fire and 100% damaged by smoke.

"Neighbouring units were inspected and suffered superficial smoke and water damage only. Fire crews used seven BA sets, two hose reel jets, two safety jets, one attack jet, and an aerial ladder platform. Accidental cause."

Main image - credit to Dartmouth Fire Station