ARSON has been ruled out as the cause of a fire which badly damaged a building on an industrial estate at Tonedale, Wellington.

The blaze at R W Gale Contractors broke out early last Wednesday morning causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The owner and sole director David Lacey, who took over running the company in 2015 from his father-in-law and founder of the company Richard Gale, said the fire had been caused by an ‘electrical fault’.

He praised his neighbours on the estate and the prompt and effective actions of the emergency services which prevented the building being completely destroyed. Three fire crews fought the fire.

“It is business as usual,” said David. “About 40 per cent of the building was damaged, and we’re so grateful for the support we have received.” A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said at the scene: “There were reports there may be gas cylinders inside and there was also an HGV inside the building.

“The fire was in the garage area of the industrial unit. We used breathing apparatus and jets to extinguish the fire and by 9.30am – about one and a half hours after we attended – we were making good progress.

“Thirty gallons of industrial oil were involved, argon and LPG cylinders were involved.”

The company was started by Richard Gale in 1973 and has been kept as a family business with its vehicles being a familiar sight in the area.