The Grosvenor Garden Centre close to Chester has reopened this morning (June 16) following a major fire that destroyed a number of outbuildings earlier in the week.
The fire sent a plume of black smoke that hung over the small towns that are Eccleston as well as Belgrave. Eyewitnesses described an “intimidating” flame that was engulfed in a 25 foot by 25 feet outbuilding before spreading to the other outbuildings of the property.
Five fire engines as well as an air ladder were brought into the county from all over in an effort to put out the blaze started at about 4 am. The garden centre will be reopened today after the damage was “isolated’ to areas away from the main.
Peter Gibbons, group operations manager at Grosvenor Garden Centre Peter Gibbons, group operations manager at Grosvenor Garden Centre Cheshire Live: “We would appreciate the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for putting out the flame as well as the general public for their kind words of encouragement.
“Thankfully that the damages were limited to storage units that were not in the public areas of the mall. The shopping center is expected to be open like usual on Thursday after a thorough health and safety inspection.
“We hope to welcome clients back.”
Maidenhead Aquatics Chester, based at the centre, said that they’d be opening again. In a post on Facebook, it said: “Unfortunately due to the fire phones being down, we’re unable to take all phone calls until the issue is resolved. This also means that our electronic card payment systems are in the process of being restored until the next time.
“We hope to resolve this issue quickly, but we’d like to ask everyone to pay cash, if it is possible. This will speed up the process and less stressful for everyone. Your help will be appreciated. Thank you.”
The flames produced a dense black smoke column and the fire department warned residents to take extra precautions by stating: “Please keep windows and doors closed if you reside close by and turn your vehicle’s ventilation systems off when driving through the region.”
Eccleston residents David Flood was woken around 4 am by sounds that “sounded like gunshots.” As he looked out of from the windows of his house, he noticed a puff of smoke rising from his home at the Grosvenor Garden Centre, half one mile away.
He recalled the incident: “It was quite shocking as you drove up , it was like”Jeepers”. It was quite awe-inspiring. It wasn’t just a small spark of fire.”
“I’m not certain if it was fireworks or gas canisters. there was lots of banging and popping taking place.”
At 7.40am, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service informed they: “Crews are now dealing with fires in pockets and damping the building.” The incident was declared a blaze approximately 5.49pm that same day.
Grosvenor Garden Centre Grosvenor Garden Centre is located just outside the gates to Eton Hall. Eton Hall estate in Belgrave which is the home to the Grosvenor Family. The huge, well-known garden centre is located on Wrexham Road, off the A483.
