Clean up begins after large industrial fire on Forest Road
Update 3.50pm Monday 20 March
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (opens in a new window) has announced that the clean-up of the Forest Road area has started.
Residents in Sandhurst Avenue, Forest Road, Bessemer Drive will have fire debris removed by specialist contractors from their properties and gardens.
Please do not touch the fire debris and leave it for the contractors to clear.
Demolition work is due to commence on Forest Road where there is likely to be a significant dust cloud so if you live in the area please remain indoors as this happens, keeping windows and doors closed.
One fire engine will remain overnight to monitor the area. A joint fire and police investigation will begin once the area is safe.
Mansfield District Council would like to also inform residents located in the road closure area to leave their bins out and our crews will get to them as soon as they can.
Firefighters have spent more than 24 hours battling a blaze at an industrial estate on Forest Road.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue attended the scene off Nottingham Road, following an initial call on Saturday, 18 March at 3.45pm.
At its height, 100 firefighters across 16 crews were involved in tackling the blaze, nearby homes were evacuated, and electricity was shut off in the area while the firefighting operation continued through the night. There have been no reports of any injuries.
Oak Tree Leisure Centre was opened as a place of refuge for those affected by the blaze, however, residents have since been allowed to return to their homes. The fire service is recommending residents not to go into their gardens due to smoke and debris and concern about potentially hazardous materials.
Residents in the Bessemer area are advised that there is on street parking available along the Forest Road area and can temporarily park nearby.
Forest Road still remains closed with firefighters remaining on the scene today (Monday, 20 March) as dampening down works continue. Once the dampening is complete, an investigation between Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue and Nottinghamshire Police will begin to determine the cause of the fire.
A Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesman said: “At this stage we don’t know how long damping down process will continue for but we won’t be starting any investigation into the cause of the fire until that is done. We expect that will be a joint investigation with the police when it begins.”
The site is a fire and police investigation scene and the council will support both authorities wherever it can, and when needed to. We advise residents to continue to follow the guidance from Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service during this time.
Police and fire crews have thanks residents for their “support and understanding” over the difficult weekend. Inspector Katie Eustace, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “I want to thank everyone affected by this fire for their patience as we understand how scary and upsetting an incident like this can be for everyone involved."
Anyone with any information about the fire is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 523 of March 18, 2023.