INVESTIGATIONS into a devastating fire at an industrial unit belonging to an award-winning Somerset scotch egg business concluded the cause was accidental.
Fire crews from Burnham-on-Sea, Taunton, Bridgwater, Glastonbury, Street, Martock, Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare were called to Bristol Road, Highbridge at around 8.50am on May 18 2026.
The building was evacuated, and despite the scale of the blaze, which left the unit completely destroyed, no injuries were reported.
The industrial unit is owned by Alec Chick as part of The Scotch Egg Company, which also trades as Chickies Scotch Egg and has been a part of the community for the last 10 years.
Inside the unit were items such as Mr Chick's phone, laptop, equipment, stock, inventory and other items that 'helped keep his business running'.
Two neighbouring units also suffered smoke damage, but Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service crews at the scene managed to stop the flames from spreading further.
Initially, the cause of the fire was under investigation, but fire crews confirmed when approached for comment today (May 20) that the cause was accidental.
Read more
Queuing traffic and lanes closed along the M5 northbound due to vehicle fire
Man pronounced dead at scene as police called to incident in rural area
Occupants evacuated after electric shower catches fire in Somerset property
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Fire control received several 999 calls reporting a fire in a commercial unit in Highbridge, Somerset.
“Three fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were initially sent.
“On arrival, crews confirmed that the building was well alight and requested additional appliances to attend. A further five fire engines and a command support unit were also sent.
“Crews extinguished the fire using one foam jet, three attack jet, two safety jets, and two hose reel jets.
“This building consisted of eight industrial units. One unit was 100 per cent destroyed by fire, and two further units [were] 50 per cent damaged by smoke.”
Share