SOMERSET NEWS: Highbridge Caravan Centre thanks people for their support after devastating fire

THE owners of the Highbridge Caravan Centre – which suffered a devastating fire in the early hours of Saturday (October 1, 2016) causing damage estimated to be worth around £1m – have thanked people for their “kind words” of support.

Carnage has been left behind after fire swept through the centre on the A38 in Bristol Road, Highbridge, and destroyed more than 100 caravans.

While mystery surrounds what caused the huge fire which resulted in emergency services from around Somerset and beyond descend on the caravan centre, the company is trying the best it can to continue trading.

Its website says - not surprisingly – that its caravan display area is currently closed due to the fire.

But adds: “Please note our motorhome display, accessories shop, awning showroom, workshop and parts are open as normal.”

The company has been inundated with messages of support from customers and local people who have been shocked and saddened at the extent of the fire.

“We thank you for all your kind words and patience while we are dealing with the aftermath of the fire,” said the website.

PHOTO - TOP: The devestation following the fire at Highbridge Caravan Centre.

PHOTO - RIGHT: An aerial view of what the site looked like before the fire.

The firm’s social media Facebook page has received many messages of best wishes and support.

One person wrote: “So glad that nobody was hurt, but please be assured that we are thinking of you all at this time.”

Another said: “Just seen the news – so sad. So glad it didn’t get the whole site and hope you are back up and running soon.”

And another wrote: “So shocked and saddened to wake up to this news.”

Highbridge Caravan Centre is a family business having been developed over 50 years ago in 1965.

But it was around 1.30am yesterday morning when the devastating fire broke out.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service started receiving dozens of calls from people about the fire and by 2am the blaze had rapidly spread through the caravan centre’s display area outside and many LPG cylinders had started to explode.

The Fire Service reported that around 160 caravans had been destroyed or damaged in the fire.

But a spokesman said: “Following fire investigations the cause has been deemed to be undetermined. Duty of care has been left with the site owners.”

PHOTOS - ABOVE: How the site looked in the daylight following the blaze.

PHOTOS: Flashback to the early hours of Saturday (October 1, 2016) when the fire took hold at the Highbridge Caravan Centre on the A38 Bristol Road at Highbridge.

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