A powerful explosion rocked Swindon’s Groundwell Industrial Estate on Wednesday evening, sparking a huge warehouse fire and prompting a major emergency response. The blast, which occurred shortly after 7:30 pm, shook homes across the town and sent a thick plume of smoke into the night sky, leaving residents terrified. Wiltshire Police confirmed that the explosion originated from an industrial unit on Crompton Road, leading to an evacuation of the estate and the closure of nearby roads, including part of Cricklade Road.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service deployed 12 fire engines, specialist vehicles, an aerial ladder platform, and water carriers to battle the blaze. Crews from Swindon, Stratton, Westlea, Marlborough, Devizes, Ramsbury, and Malmesbury were among those on scene. Authorities urged residents near the estate to stay indoors and keep windows shut due to thick smoke and possible hazardous fumes. Police confirmed that while the industrial estate was evacuated, there was no need for nearby residential areas to leave their homes, and the A419 remained open.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames erupt within minutes of the explosion, with videos shared online showing a fireball lighting up the night sky and thick black smoke drifting across north Swindon. Some residents described the blast as feeling like a “sonic boom,” shaking houses miles away. Swindon Borough Council activated its emergency response team to assist police and fire crews, while council leader Jim Robbins urged the public to give emergency services space. Firefighters were expected to remain on site for several hours, with the cause of the explosion and potential casualties yet to be confirmed.
