Fire crews bring spectacular petrol station blaze near Fontwell under control

Paul Mant, a long-serving member of Fontwell's ground staff, on Monday spoke of his relief no-one was hurt after a spectacular fire broke out at a petrol station near the Sussex racecourse.

Mant, who is nearing 38 years at Fontwell having started at the track when he was 15, was among the first on the scene after a camper van caught fire at 9.30am.

The blaze was brought under control by 11am and nobody was hurt.

Flames engulf the petrol station near FontwellCredit: Paul Mant

"I was cutting the course and watering it, when I saw a plume of smoke go up," said the 53-year-old, whose father Roger was also head groundsman at the track.

"I guessed straight away it was the petrol station and ran over there. Apparently it was a camper van and it just went up.

"Luckily the petrol pumps didn't go up as they've a switch inside they can switch off. I saw all the staff and they were all right after getting everyone safe very quickly.

"The fire brigade were then on scene and dealt with it rapidly."

The blaze was under control by 11am on MondayCredit: Paul Mant

Some local buildings were evacuated, but Fontwell was not affected.

Mant, who was born on the course, added: "It's just off the other side of the A27 from where we are. We were business as usual.

"Thankfully, no-one was hurt. I got quite close and saw the people I knew were safe."

Fontwell's trainee clerk of the course Philip Hide said: "We're detached enough from the racecourse and it's not as bad as it could've been.

"We were fine here and had an antiques thing on this morning that went ahead as normal."

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