- By Hamish Mureddu-Reid
- BBC news
image source, Rob Britton
Crowds of smokers can be seen from miles away
The Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said a large fire broke out at a depot, with 10 teams initially sent to the scene.
The fire started just before 21:00 BST on Thursday at the Access Self Storage unit on Oyster Lane, in Byfleet.
Local residents are being asked to close their doors and windows.
Nine crew members and three aerial ladders are involved in extinguishing the fire, and firefighters said they are expected to remain on the scene throughout the day.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen in the area and A318 Oyster Lane was closed in both directions.
It is not clear if the fire has spread to adjacent buildings.
image source, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene after the fire broke out on Thursday night
Glyn Parry Jones, incident commander at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We received an automated fire alarm call at a self-storage unit.
“The fire started in a self-managed warehouse, but there is also a car factory and a building materials shop attached to the building.”
He told BBC Radio Surrey: “The building has been severely damaged by the fire. Efforts are currently being made to prevent any further fires.”
He said the fire had caused some structural damage and crews had to fight the fire from outside the building.
“There are areas of the building that we are struggling to reach. It will take a long time to put out the fire. [fire]”, he added.
image source, Jeremy Parkin
The fire service said it expected the blaze to burn “for a while”
Mr. Parry Jones said local residents should stay indoors, with doors and windows closed.
He also asked motorists to avoid the area.
Mr. Parry Jones said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the fire, but no one was inside the building containing the self-managed warehouse.
He said the fire brigade will also talk to tenants of self-storage units to find out what is being stored there.
Pride in Surrey, a group that organizes local LGBTQ+ events, tweeted about the fire, said it kept its outreach and event equipment at the storage unit.
The person said: “We’re bracing for a total loss. The house contains a lot of the sentimental items that have made our history, along with most of our possessions, helping to keep costs down. annual pride fee.”
