Crews battle chemical fire at Burscough plant
It took over 10 fire crews to take on a huge fire at a Burscough chemical plant last Tuesday with two people having to be airlifted to hospital.
When the blaze broke out at about 10am smoke could be seen from almost four miles away from the site at PHS Waste Management, in Tollgate Road.
The chemical incident was dealt with using Operation Merlin, a collaboration between police and the fire service in Lancashire for these kinds of instances.
A number of roads throughout the area had to be closed due to the fire as firefighters fought to extinguish the flames which had spread to the roof of the chemical waste management plant.
There were also reports of explosions at the plant due to the nature of the chemicals involved, so businesses in the area had to be evacuated.
A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said:
“The smoke has been analysed and it is of a low toxicity in terms of chemicals.
“The initial reports of explosions would have been aerosol cans exploding.”
Three people were injured in total after suffering burns from the fire and had to be taken to the Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.
It took several hours for fire crews to get the blaze under control and make the area safe.
Printing works fire led to toxic smoke concerns
It has been revealed that a large fire at a Livingston printing plant led to a number of injuries as well as health fears due to potentially toxic smoke when the incident happened last Thursday morning.
A man and three firefighters from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service had to have check-ups in hospital following the volatile blaze, which gave off smoke from printing inks and solvents which could be seen for miles around.
Around 70 firefighters battled the fire at Amcor Flexibles in Brucefield Industrial Estate using a total of 12 fire engines. Fire crews had to keep acetylene cylinders from exploding using a constant stream of water.
The chemical fire also caused a number of road closures and police conducted evacuations of people from business premises located in the vicinity of the packaging print works. The line of an Edinburgh to Glasgow rail route also had to be closed due to the fire.
Residents living in Murieston, which is close to the area were given warnings about the smoke and asked to remain indoors keeping all windows and doors closed due to possible toxic fumes.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known although an investigation is now underway.
Fire breaks out in Kidderminster factory
Over 40 firefighters were called to an unoccupied industrial unit in Worcester on Wednesday morning following reports of smoke bellowing from the building.
Fire crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue service with eight fire engines attended the scene at Hard Anodising on Firs Industrial Estate, off Oldington Lane just before 8am.
Those who witnessed the blaze saw thick smoke coming from the single level factory which was used for metal finishing.
Ian Bytheway, a worker at a nearby unit, said:
“We were told it would be for the best to stay outside of our building until the fire was out.
“It was a surprise to turn up to see the emergency services here and to see the smoke from the factory.”
The blaze was eventually brought under control as firefighters worked at it using an aerial ladder and platform.
Police had to shut a number of roads in the area, while environmental protection units were called for due to the fact the company utilised chemical processes.
There were no reported injuries following the fire, with nobody was in the building at the time, although firefighters and police had to remain on site as they investigated the cause of the blaze.
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