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Portable cabins fire - further details

Further details have emerged about a blaze in Shore Road, Port Erin on Tuesday.

Two portable cabins owened by Cedar Developments caught fire, shortly after 4pm.

It's understood the cabins were being used to store diesel, petrol and a small generator, as well as equipment for use in the renovation of the nearby public toilets.

The cause of the fire is being investigated, but it is thought to have started after a diesel or petrol leak from one of the containers. It's understood there was no electricity in the portable cabins.

One fire engine and a support vehicle attended the fire and two firemen wearing breathing apparatus tackled the main blaze, while two others hosed the side and roof of the cabins. Thick, acrid smoke continued to bellow from the buildings for several minutes and the sound of small containers bursting in the heat could be heard from time to time.

No damage was caused to the houses close to the cabins or to the public toilets, the roof of which can be seen in the picture.

The Fire and Rescue Service worked with an environmental officer to prevent contamination by diesel fuel and water, which could have run onto the beach.

The fire was out after 20 minutes but the fire fighters spent a further hour clearing up and carrying out investigations.

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