A petrol station in Ellesmere Port was barely visible to the eye after it became engulfed in huge clouds of smoke.

An eye-witness recorded the moment a van was nearly set alight as smoke could be seen escaping from the engine.

Emergency services were called to the Shell petrol station on Station Road, Ellesmere Port shortly after 7.40am on Monday (June 17).

Two fire engines attended from Ellesmere Port to assist the driver of the van which was parked up on the petrol station's forecourt.

A Cheshire police spokesman said: "There was no fire, it was a gasket on the van which had failed and caused the smoke.

"The van was later moved from the petrol station."


Despite the huge clouds of smoke one eye-witness said motorists continued to use the petrol station.

Social media users on the Pride in the Port Facebook group expressed their concerns for the van driver and staff at the station.

One person said: "Hope everyone is okay and the area safe."

Another said: "Wow, hope they sort it quick being so close to petrol station and hope all okay."

The smoke coming from the petrol station in Ellesmere Port

Upon the fire services arrival the smoke had reduced and emergency services were able to move the van to a safer location.

The van driver suffered no injuries.

Thank you to Lindsey Letman for capturing the video.


