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Construction News
24/09/2008
Fire At Multi-Million Pound Shopping Centre
A fire has broke out at a construction site in Bath, where a £360 million shopping centre is being developed.
Up to 250 people were forced to flee their homes after four gas canisters blew up at the £360m SouthGate retail development site on Tuesday.
People living in the nearby nine streets were subsequently moved to safer areas after a 150-metre exclusion zone was set up, after flames shot 50ft into the air.
It is thought residents are now being allowed to return to their homes.
The incident occurred when a tar heater, which was being used at the site, caught fire.
A Multi Development UK Ltd spokesman said the "incident" occurred on site "whereby a fire was started during asphalting operations in Block B".
A further 10 canisters were left in a "potentially dangerous" state, police confirmed.
Police were alerted to the fire just after 5pm on Tuesday evening.
A 400-yard cordon was placed around the shopping centre by emergency services, forcing train and bus stations to close and bringing rush hour traffic to a standstill.
Bath and North East Somerset Council also set up emergency accommodation for those evacuated.
A topping-out ceremony for the multi-million pound development scheme, took place last week. It was hoped the first retail units would be open at the start of next year.
(JM)
Up to 250 people were forced to flee their homes after four gas canisters blew up at the £360m SouthGate retail development site on Tuesday.
People living in the nearby nine streets were subsequently moved to safer areas after a 150-metre exclusion zone was set up, after flames shot 50ft into the air.
It is thought residents are now being allowed to return to their homes.
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The incident occurred when a tar heater, which was being used at the site, caught fire.
A Multi Development UK Ltd spokesman said the "incident" occurred on site "whereby a fire was started during asphalting operations in Block B".
A further 10 canisters were left in a "potentially dangerous" state, police confirmed.
Police were alerted to the fire just after 5pm on Tuesday evening.
A 400-yard cordon was placed around the shopping centre by emergency services, forcing train and bus stations to close and bringing rush hour traffic to a standstill.
Bath and North East Somerset Council also set up emergency accommodation for those evacuated.
A topping-out ceremony for the multi-million pound development scheme, took place last week. It was hoped the first retail units would be open at the start of next year.
(JM)
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