Swindon Groundwell massive explosion: Fire destroys warehouse

A massive explosion happened on the evening of September 24, 2025, at a warehouse on the Groundwell Industrial Estate in Swindon, a town in southwest England.

The bang happened around 8 PM at a printing warehouse run by a company called ESP Smile. It is on Crompton Road in the Groundwell area, a busy spot for work buildings in north Swindon.

The Wiltshire police reported the incident:

“We are currently dealing with a serious incident at Groundwell Industrial Estate, Crompton Road. An explosion has occurred in one of the industrial units and we are working alongside colleagues from the ambulance and fire services to make the area safe.”

The explosion was so big that it shook houses far away and started a massive fire. Videos show a giant orange fireball shooting up, then thick black smoke filling the sky, visible from miles away.

No one was seriously hurt. Pieces of a nearby gym’s ceiling fell during classes, but coaches quickly got everyone out safely. The warehouse staff also escaped. Officials are still checking if anyone was inside when it blew.

Jim Robbins, a Councillor with Swindon Borough Council, said:

“The Council Response team is working with the Emergency Services to respond to the explosion in Groundwell. Work is going on to understand what happened, determine if anyone was hurt and make the area safe.”

The fire is under control, but crews are still watching the area. Roads around Groundwell are closed, and smoke might still linger. Swindon Council is helping investigate and clean up.

Police and officials are investigating the cause of the explosion. They do not know the exact cause yet, but it is not linked to anything like a terror attack.