Investigation Continues into Cause of College Fire

An investigation into the cause of a fire at Swindon College yesterday (19 January) is continuing.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the North Star Avenue campus at 4.20pm, and firefighters found a single storey plumbing workshop well alight.

At the height of the incident, ten fire engines were in attendance, from Swindon (two), Stratton (two), Westlea, Cricklade, Faringdon, Cirencester, Royal Wootton Bassett and Marlborough. Later in the evening, relief crews attended from Malmesbury and Corsham.

Also in attendance were the aerial appliance from Swindon, which was used to monitor the incident from above, and an incident command vehicle from Devizes.

 A total of 44 breathing apparatus wearers tackled the blaze, with up to eight in the building at any one time. Four main jets and four hose reel jets were used, with ventilation fans clearing the smoke. This approach meant the damage was contained to the one part of the building.

 Once the blaze was under control, firefighters checked the whole building for fire spread, which included an inspection of the ventilation ducting. Crews were able to leave the scene at around 11pm.

How the fire started is still being established, but it originated in a store room alongside a workshop. The main College building was unaffected, and classes have been held as usual today.