A major fire at RF Giddings & Co Ltd’s Bartley sawmilling and manufacturing works has destroyed the company’s main production line, some of the re-sawing line and caused buildings to collapse.
The fire was discovered shortly after 5pm on Saturday afternoon and eight pumps from Hampshire Fire and Rescue and around 60 firefighters were quickly on the scene.
A fire brigade spokesperson said the single storey 90x50m sawmill building was severely damaged and collapsed. The fire was fuelled by strong winds, machinery, timber and sawdust, plus an LPG container which exploded.
In a statement, the company said the prompt response of the fire and rescue service ensured the blaze was contained to the main production and re-saw line. Other mill production buildings including the fence panel and gate manufacturing facilities and the wood treatment plants and other mill processing buildings were undamaged.
The cause of the fire is being investigated and assessments of damage to the sawmilling operation are being carried out.
