A devastating explosion and subsequent fire erupted at a printing company’s warehouse on the Groundwell Industrial Estate in Swindon, England, overnight. The blast, which shook homes across the town, triggered an emergency response with multiple fire crews and police involvement. Witnesses described the scene as catastrophic, with flames engulfing the building and a thick column of black smoke. The cause remains under investigation, with no casualties reported, though a power outage affected about 80 properties.
The incident occurred shortly after 7:30pm local time on Wednesday, at a site where a major drone factory is planned. The explosion, which was felt across the town, led to the evacuation of the industrial estate and the closure of several roads. At least 12 fire engines and specialist vehicles, including an aerial ladder platform and water carriers, were deployed to combat the blaze. Eyewitnesses captured footage of a fireball lighting up the night sky, followed by a thick column of black smoke drifting across north Swindon.
Wiltshire Police described the incident as