FOLLOWING yesterday’s fire at the MOT Centre in Cantilupe Road, Welsh Water has issued a warning to residents who live in the area.

A spokesperson for Welsh Water said: “We're aware that customers in this area are affected by discoloured water.

“Our teams are currently working quickly to resolve the issue, and we expect supplies to be clear by early this morning – Saturday, April 25. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The fire was first reported at around 5pm on Friday, April 24 and fire crews from Herefordshire and neighbouring counties Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire attending the incident.

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said that Numerous pumps have been deployed to the incident which included at least five fire appliances and an aerial ladder.

Firefighters were seen climbing over the neighbouring walls in Station Street to get closer to the seat of the fire.

Fire crews remained at the scene for a number of hours damping down after it had been extinguished at around 7pm.

With the immediate road network being closed by the emergency services the Morrisons' car park was used as a through route for vehicles, while crowds watching the fire from the same area, saw the incident unfold, with thick, black smoke billowing from the MOT centre’s building.

A large, blackened hole could be seen on the building’s roof. The fuel station operating at Morrisons had to be closed during the incident.

A clean operation was in progress on Saturday morning as a lot of windows that had been blown out by the fire have left shards of glass on the ground.

Full report in Wednesday’s Ross Gazette print edition.