'Horrified' owner grateful to survive

CITY BUILDING EXPLODED WHILE HE WAS AT THE SHOPS

- SOPHIE FERGUSON BUSCIMESE

THE owner of an industrial building on Beauvale Road in The Meadows was "horrified" when he came back from the shops to find the premises engulfed in flames late on Saturday evening.

Chris Weston, who had been living in the building, said he had been to the shops and spent time outside chatting and walking his neighbour back home.

"As I walked up to the door, I noticed two windows were glowing orange, which I thought was strange," he said.

"When I opened the door, I heard glass breaking and thought there were people breaking in.

"But then I realised the place was on fire, which was horrifying.

"My phone was in there, so I could not even call emergency services".

Shortly after the fire began, a loud explosion was heard down neighbouring roads.