MORE than 60 firefighters have been tackling flames all morning at a car repairs factory in Bridgwater.

Two crews from Bridgwater were the first on the scene at JJ Motors on Showground Road at about 5.45am.

In total, eight fire engines attended along with three aerial platforms to help dampen the blaze by around 10am.

Incident commander Nick Matthews said the fire service’s main concern at the moment is reports of a gas cylinder which is in the property.

He said: “There have been several small explosions but we have installed a 200-metre exclsuion zone so that crews are at a safe distance and nearby premises have been evacuated.”

Owners of JJ Motors, Jerry Williams and John Saunders, who have built the business up over the past 20 years, said they were deeply shocked and devestated.

They also said the blaze had destroyed all of the contents inside the warehouse.

Crews are using thermal imaging cameras to look for hotspots and electricity was also stopped for around three hours to the property admist fears that the smoke ploom could affect the live cables above.

Smoke was said not to be drifting across the nearby M5 but the A38 near the scene was experiencing heavy traffic. Both roads are open.

Eye witness Steven Cridge, of Salmon Parade, Bridgwater, said he thought it was a firework display before he saw what he described as 20ft flames coming from the warehouse.

Marsh Lane and the roads immediately next to the factory are closed. Fire crews and police will be monitoring the property for the next 24 hours.