Up to 60 firefighters stood in line shoulder-to-shoulder for around three hours to bring yesterday's massive blaze at HWP under control.Crews from across the Island tackled the fire using the “surround and drown” method as it was deemed too dangerous for them to enter the building on St John's Road in Pembroke.The structure of the building and the highly flammable and explosive materials meant firefighters formed a “defensive line” from Mill Creek Boatyard to St John's Road.The blaze quickly engulfed the building with flames as high as 35ft and the huge cloud of thick black smoke could be seen as far away as Flatts Village. Loud explosions could also be heard as flames shot into the air.Police evacuated scores of businesses in the surrounding area, including Gorham's, amid pollutant concerns.They also enforced a one-mile precautionary zone amid fears that the blaze contained smoke asbestos and other toxic materials. Nearby residents were told to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed.All 115 staff managed to get out of HWP's buildings unhurt after the fire alarm sounded shortly before 2pm. The fire started in the paint and repair department on the southern side of the building and quickly engulfed the vehicle showroom and administration offices.Paramedics treated a female firefighter at the scene for heat exhaustion, but she did not require hospital treatment.The fire was contained by about 5pm, then firefighters spent several hours dampening down the scene.Crews remained on the scene overnight using floodlights to tackle “little pockets of fire if they flare up”. Hourly assessments were also going to be carried out throughout the night.Chief fire officer Vincent Hollinsid said about 20 fire service vehicles attended the scene, which makes it the biggest fire in Bermuda since the Belco fire in 2006.He said: “When we first arrived we found the building engulfed in flames. We attempted to enter the building but it was considered unsafe to do so.“The construction of the building was not the best of constructions and the walls and roofs quickly collapsed.“We had already established there was no one in the building so the firefighters worked extremely quickly to contain the fire from outside.“We recalled just about every operational firefighter to deal with this blaze”.Firefighters also used a hydraulic lift to spray down gallons of water from above. Water supply was a problem but fire hydrants on the Belco premises were also used.Mr Hollinsid told a press conference yesterday that firefighters had done a “fantastic job” of containing the fire and stopping it from spreading to neighbouring properties.The fire could have spread to the Western Stars Football Club, the Rubis gas station, Standard Hardware and BTC, but Mr Hollinsid called it a “job well done”.HWP bosses will today assess the damage, which is expected to total millions of dollars. There is little left of the building and up to 50 cars are also said to have been damaged or destroyed.HWP boss Jonathan Brewin described the damage as “catastrophic” yesterday but said the company was doing everything it could to help its staff and customers “move forward”.More than 150 people turned up to watch the drama unfold with workers from companies along Serpentine Road scrambling up their fire exits and onto their roofs to get a better view.But police are continuing to urge people to stay away from the scene with St John's Road expected to remain cordoned off for most of today.The toxicity of smoke or if it contained asbestos could not be measured, but people were warned of the dangers as a precaution.The Department of Health has also advised nearby residents to protect their rain water supplies from smoke and soot. They say all downpipes should be blocked to prevent any pollutants that may have blown onto the roof from being washed into water tanks.Police immediately cordoned off the area, then evacuated scores of businesses on Addendum Lane area when the wind changed direction at about 4.15pm. The Salvation Army was also on the scene handing out water and face masks to police officers.Premier Paula Cox last night issued a statement saying the people of Bermuda had been “moved by a fire of unprecedented proportions”.She said: “We are thankful that there was no loss of life and appreciate the responsiveness and efforts of the Bermuda Fire Service.“However, at a time when businesses are already struggling it has to have been an added trauma to the management and staff of that business. Presently, there are more immediate issues they are addressing as part of the process of extinguishing the fire and doing the necessary assessment of the extent of the property damage.“However, once the situation has been addressed in the immediate term I wish to advise the management and staff that I and the relevant members of the Government team will seek to meet with the management of the company to discuss their specific challenges and to have a dialogue to explore how we can seek to facilitate and assist”.Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief, who is MP for the area and lives nearby, thanked the emergency services for working together to deal with “a very serious fire”.He said: “I am extremely happy that the fire department were able to knock that fire down and contain it within about three hours with no personal injuries.“It was a very successful operation … it's a highly-populated and well-travelled commercial area”.Chief Inspector Na'imah Williams, who heads up the central division, thanked the public for their cooperation by remaining behind the police cordon.She said: “Our main concern is a person's safety, we are acting in their best interests.“We expect more people to travel to the area but we have to make sure it is absolutely safe. I'd urge people to please stay away”.lAre you an HWP customer who has had their vehicle damaged or destroyed by the fire, if so e-mail Sirkka Huish at shuish[AT]royalgazette.bm