Firefighters battle blaze at former dairy (From Stroud News and Journal)

Firefighters battle blaze at former dairy

FIREFIGHTERS battled for two hours with flames at the old Express Dairies Depot on Lansdown, which was due to be developed into 45 new homes.

No-one was hurt, but police are treating the fire at the site, which includes a number of derelict buildings, as suspicious.

A fire engine from Painswick was drafted in to join two from Stroud, which started at about 11.40 on Tuesday, July 26.

Property developers Newland Homes, who have an office in Bowbridge Wharf, Stroud were granted planning permission by Stroud District Council earlier this year.

Corporate services manager Tim Sergeant said the company, which is in the process of buying the site, would have to view the damage before deciding whether it would affect the sale.

Mr Sergeant said: "Most of the buildings were going to be demolished anyway, so that would accelerate that process."

Leading firefighter Mat Ward said: "We couldn't get in round the front so we went in round the back.

"We checked that there were no people inside as there were chairs and kids have used it in the past.

"It took us about three quarters of an hour to get things under control."

Anyone with information should call Stroud police on 0845 0901234.