Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident in Westbury-on-Severn to find the commercial building engulfed in flames and one man injured.

The Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme association is now urging all biomass boiler owners and operators to be extra cautious and adhere to the following safety advice.

Bruce Allen, chief executive officer of HETAS and Woodsure, said: “While cases this extreme are uncommon, it is devastating for those impacted. It pains us to see incidents like this where the damage could potentially have been avoided.

“We would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness about households and business owners alike can stay safe when operating biomass boilers.”

HETAS suggested the following safety tips:

1. Keep up with regular maintenance of the system. Ensure the system is serviced and maintained by a qualified professional at least once a year, they can help to identify and address any potential issues before they escalate.
2. Biomass boilers must be sized accordingly. As some are designed to ‘offload’ their heat in cycles, they are normally accompanied by a store of water which is used to dissipate the heat as required.
3. Adequate ventilation and air supply in the boiler room or designated area is also vital to ensure sufficient airflow and to ensure safe operation.
4. When working inside any store, be it pellet or grain, caution and safety procedures must be always followed, and specialist training is required.
5. Only use high-quality, approved biomass fuel sources. Poor-quality fuel can lead to reduced efficiency and increased emissions, compromising both safety and performance. To claim Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) payments, the fuel must be on the Biomass Suppliers List.
6. Finally, familiarise with the manufacturer’s instructions and operating manual for the specific biomass boiler model. Where available, attend training sessions or workshops to enhance the understanding of the system’s operation and maintenance.