Fire damages burger factory in Suffolk

It has recently been reported that a blaze which broke out at Wessex Foods in Lowestoft on Sunday evening has severely damaged the premises.

On Monday morning firefighters were still on the scene tackling the flames and ensuring the site is secure.

Local residents reported they had heard explosions coming from the mince and burger processing factory, which employs 150 people.

When fire crews arrived that the scene it took two air support units and over 100 firefighters to work on the fire. They continued to work on the fire through the night using local ponds to provide them with a supply of water.

As well as the factory, the situation also threatened a petrol station, community church and other buildings on a retail estate.

Kevin Burden, of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, spoke about the trouble fire crews had experienced during this particular incident:

“The building is designed to keep food stuffs cool so there’s a large number of rooms each of which is well insulated and this means the area burns readily.

“They then collapse leaving the fire to burn underneath the rubble of the building structure.”

As the fire was still burning under all the rubble, fire crews surrounded the building and attempted to contain the area.