Fire crews from London have been called in to assist local stations in Hertfordshire as they tackle a major blaze at an industrial estate in the historic market town of Baldock.

The fire broke out at Baldock Industrial Estate on London Road, according to Hertfordshire Police. As a result, road closures have been put in place, and authorities have urged the public to avoid the area and keep their windows closed due to the smoke.

The fire service reported that the industrial estate is located near the town’s Tesco supermarket and has deployed multiple resources to combat the flames. Images posted on social media show the fire burning inside a building adorned with the signage of the Baldock Tyre Exhaust & Mot Centre.

Residents in the vicinity of the industrial estate have expressed their shock and concern. Claire Walton, who lives approximately a quarter of a mile away, first became aware of the fire through a Facebook group. She described the scene as flames engulfing the area and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The situation appeared to intensify, with reports of loud noises echoing from the fire site.

Local resident Harp Mann stated that roads leading to the Tesco roundabout had been closed, and authorities advised residents to stay indoors due to the scale of the incident. The fire has disrupted normal activities in the area, causing inconvenience and concern among the local community.

Efforts to contain and extinguish the fire are ongoing, with firefighting resources mobilized from London to support local fire stations in Hertfordshire. The collaboration between different fire services highlights the need for a coordinated response to tackle such incidents effectively.

As the situation develops, authorities will continue to assess and manage the incident, ensuring the safety of both the public and firefighters. Investigative efforts will follow to determine the cause of the fire and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Residents are advised to follow the guidance provided by the authorities, including road closures and safety precautions, to minimize any potential risks. Local updates and instructions should be followed closely to ensure the well-being of all those affected by the incident.