Praise has been pouring in for Ross fire crews, who were assisted by crews from several other stations last week, when they were faced with the largest fire seen in Ross for many years.

Watch Commander Neil Fowler told the Ross Gazette:?“I took over in 2009 and cannot remember having to call for six appliances at a single incident.” Water was supplied by hydrants on Gloucester Road and Alton Road. This led to the road being closed for some hours.

Neil told the Ross Gazette that two crews from Ross attended within minutes of the emergency call at 5.47pm on Wednesday, February 3rd. They were on scene until 1am the following morning when they then took a break, but many were back at 8am and members of the crew stayed until 4.30pm. Neil returned at 7.30pm for a reinspection to ensure that the fire was completely out.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are continuing their investigations into the cause of the fire, and will be on site on Thursday, February 11th to carry out further inquiries. A spokesman said that they are unsure of the cause, but have ruled out the possibility of it being started by a woodburner.

Bryan Mason, Managing Director of the Safety Shack on the Haigh Industrial Estate which was one of the business premises destroyed by the fire, also thanked the fire crews. He told the Ross Gazette:?“They worked ’bravely and tirelessly’ to contain what was a major incident.”

Luke Shepherd of Haigh Engineering, which owns the estate and is landlord to the two businesses, told the Gazette he was amazed at the exemplary way the fire service had performed.

He said that Haigh is doing everything it can to help the two businesses although Haigh itself is full. He told the Gazette that the two companies are progressing with their plans to keep their businesses running.

He said for everyone else on the Estate it has been a question of businesses as usual.

Bryan Mason told the Ross Gazette that the company is working with their insurers and hope to resume trading as soon as possible. He is hopeful that he may have new premises in Ross-on-Wye organised by next week.

Ian and Barry of Aqua-Heat Ltd have also publicly thanked everyone who helped during the incident and afterwards.

County Councillor Phil Cutter spoke about the fire at the Town Council meeting on Monday, February 9th. He said:?“We all appreciate the work of all the services who attended the incident.”