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Hundreds evacuated after huge factory blaze Flames 60ft into the air
Hundreds evacuated after huge factory blaze Flames 60ft into the air
Hundreds evacuated after huge factory blaze sent flames billowing 60ft into the air HUNDREDS of people were evacuated from their homes today after a huge factory blaze sent flames and smoke billowing 60ft into the air. Residents heard a loud explosion shortly before the fire engulfed a factory which makes cleaning products at 9am. Around 70 firefighters dashed to Global Hygiene LLP on the Astonfield’s Industrial Estate on Drummond Road, Stafford. Police also evacuated all properties within 50 metres of the factory and put an exclusion zone in place and closed nearby roads. One man was injured and treated by paramedics for minor injuries. Kelvin Westwood, who works at Wood Ways Technology, said: “I work 50 yards away from Global Hygiene. The boss came into the workshop at 9am and told us about the smoke and flames.” Simon Reynolds, branch manager at nearby Lockwood Electrical, said: “There was a small fire to begin with and then within ten minutes it was huge. The speed at which it went up was shocking.” A number of onlookers said they had heard rumours an employee had switched an appliance on and that had triggered an explosion. Resident John Nash, 51, said: “I heard a bang or explosion and the next thing I knew there were fire engines racing down here. I’ve never seen a fire like this since for some time.” Local Julie Gill, added: “I saw all the smoke and came to see what was going on. I heard the fire started in a warehouse.” Ray Neil, who lives nearby, added: “At first I thought there was a massive great rain cloud, then I saw that it was smoke and couldn’t believe how much of it there was. I’ve never seen something like this before.”
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