A year after a massive fire tore through Haydon Industrial Estate near Radstock, Somerset, plans are now moving forward to rebuild the destroyed industrial units. The fire, which broke out in March 2025, sent thick smoke billowing across the surrounding area and required a combined response from Avon Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters used 24 breathing apparatus units to tackle the blaze.
Fortunately, all personnel on-site were safely evacuated, though one individual was hospitalized. The fire consumed two industrial units, one housing a workshop specializing in spray painting articulated lorry cabs, and another serving as an MOT center. While the paint spraying business has since reopened in Somerton, efforts to restore the industrial estate itself are now taking shape.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has received two planning applications to reconstruct units 8 and 8a. The proposals emphasize a like-for-like rebuild, aiming to replicate the original footprint, scale, height, and overall appearance of the destroyed facilities. According to the applications, the intention is to restore the established structure within the estate without introducing new or significantly different designs.
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Following safety protocols, all fire debris will be cleared by a specialist waste contractor to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. The reconstruction marks a significant step in revitalizing the Haydon Industrial Estate and supporting local businesses affected by the fire.