This is the moment a group of workers living in caravans in Bristol escaped with their lives as fire engulfed their homes.
The men had all been living in caravans on an industrial estate in St Philip's, on the same road as the city council’s household recycling centre, when disaster struck at about 2pm today (July 15).
Gas canisters were heard popping and the fire spread quickly from one caravan to another as those who happened to be inside stumbled out as the alarm was raised.
One man said he was seconds from being trapped inside, and said one of those present managed to rouse the others and get them out as the fire spread quickly.
The moment was captured on video by one worker at a 4x4 garage next door, and showed a huge fire engulfing three caravans and a car parked on Princess Street in St Philips.
Workers rushed to try to assist, but were sent scurrying as explosions continued in the inferno.
Firefighters arrived quickly, and put out the blaze, and then had the task of making sure everyone managed to get out in time.
One of those who had a lucky escape was Maciej Zawadza.
“I nearly lost my life today,” the 29-year-old handyman said.
“I was in the caravan sleeping when everything started to burn. My friend Martin saved my life. He opened the door and shouted ‘we need to run away’.
“It woke me up and I could hear a noise like boom boom boom. There was a lot of smoke. It was scary.
“Only a few times in my life I have been as scared as that. I have lost my home but I am still alive so I am happy. I will have to sleep on the streets tonight,” he added.
Jamie Shrimpton, from Pegasus 4x4 turned his video camera on soon after the fire started, and captured the moments explosions from inside began.
“I was standing on the street looking at the fire when it started,” the 38-year-old warehouseman said.
“My heart was going because the butane canisters in the caravans were on fire and spraying out gas. I am surprised they didn’t blow up.
“I was standing next to the man who had been in one of the caravans. He told me if someone hadn’t knocked on the window and woken him up, he would have been a goner. He was a bit dazed but he wasn’t injured,” he added.
Four fire engines from Temple and Bedminster fire stations attended the blaze, which closed off several roads in the area. Investigations into how the fire started are underway.
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