UNAUTHORISED demolition work at a former petrol station in Alcombe sparked major fears among nearby residents this week. Firefighters were called to the Premier Garage site on Monday to tackle a blaze involving tyres after reports of a huge plume of black smoke billowing above the area. Crews from Minehead, Williton and Wiveliscombe were at the scene for just over two hours and a Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said later that it had been a "deliberate" rubbish fire. The concerns of people living in the largely residential area were further fuelled when it was confirmed that contractors were removing asbestos roofing and planned to take out the underground tanks which previously served the petrol station and which are understood to still contain some fuel. One neighbour of the site, who asked not to be named, said she was extremely worried by the situation. "I have young children and it is quite frightening to live close to something like this when it is unclear if this work is being carried out properly. "There are a lot of environmental hazards on the site." However, West Somerset District Council, whose officers have visited the site on a daily basis since Monday to check out the work, moved swiftly to allay any fears. Building inspector Gordon Ferguson confirmed that the demolition work had begun without the required prior notice and details being submitted in writing to the authority, but these were expected to be received any day. The asbestos in the corrugated roofing was "very low risk" and posed no health risks to people living nearby. Mr Ferguson said it was being put into a closed skip for transportation to a specially licensed site at Bridgwater and his only concern was for the safety of the contractors because of the way the asbestos was being removed. His concerns have now been passed onto the Health and Safety Executive. Environmental health officers have also banned the contractors from having any more bonfires on the site. Mr Ferguson said the removal of the tanks had to be carried out under the direct guidance of fire officers, which since Monday's blaze, would now be done. "The fuel that is in there will have to be pumped out, then the tanks foam-cleaned before being de- gassed and finally cut up." Mr Ferguson said council officers could have called a halt to the work on the site. "We could have ordered it to be stopped and closed the site but because of the work already carried out this would have left it in a far more dangerous state. "We are keeping a very close eye on what is happening and I can understand the concerns of people living nearby. "But we want to reassure them and allay their fears. There is no risk to them." In May, the Churchill Property Group Ltd won planning approval to build eight flats and six houses on the land, following a failed bid in August 2004 for a development of 32 apartments. However, the site is now being developed by Berkshire-based Greatworth Properties Ltd. The company is listed as a Grade A member of the National House-Building Council, the standard setting body and leading warranty provider for new and newly converted homes in the UK, and prides itself on its emphasis on quality. A spokesman for Greatworth Properties said the company had no comment to make on the Alcombe site. Photo: Steve Guscott.