An industrial estate has been evacuated after a "serious explosion" left homes shaking in an English town.
Swindon's Groundwell Industrial Estate on Crompton Road was engulfed by flames at around 7.30pm following an explosion at a warehouse.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was dealing with a large warehouse fire, adding that 10 fire engines were now at the scene.
Dozens of residents have written on social media that they felt their homes shake following the explosion.
The fire broke out at the industrial estate
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A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "We are currently dealing with a serious incident at Groundwell Industrial Estate, Crompton Road.
"An explosion has occurred in one of the industrial units and we are working alongside colleagues from the ambulance and fire service to make the area safe. A large cordon is in place and Cricklade Road between Queensfield and Thamesdown Drive is currently closed.
"Members of the public who live nearby should stay inside, close all windows and avoid the area of the industrial estate for their own safety.
"We are working to evacuate the immediate area of the industrial estate but there is no need for residential dwellings to evacuate.
"The A419 remains open but should this change, we will update this post."
The industrial estate was evacuated
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Head coach and owner of Swindon Martial Arts and Fitness Jason O'Grady told the BBC his staff running lessons near the site heard "a massive loud bang" and "bits of ceiling tile fell down on everybody".
He said his staff had initially thought the building had been hit by a car, adding: "Luckily our guys were quite quick to get out so the police let them go.
"But I do know the place behind us, the police kept them in because they were a little bit worried about which factory had blown up and what kind of smoke was in the air, so they kept them in for a while before they evacuated them."
He added: "I don't think we are going to know anything until tomorrow."
A resident in nearby St Phillip’s Road told the Swindon Advertiser he felt the blast rattle his home from miles away and thought a "sonic boom" had hit the town.
Another added: "I felt that. It was like someone had slammed a door really hard and made everything shake"
One user on social media said: "I live right next to this. Literally felt the whole house shake.
"Residents have been warned to stay inside and keep their windows closed.
A cordon remains in place around the industrial estate and people are being evacuated from this area.
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