Explosions heard as firefighters tackle large factory fire in Blackburn PHOTO/VIDEO

31 Mar 2025 12:23
31 Mar 2025 12:42

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Explosions heard as firefighters tackle large factory fire in Blackburn PHOTO/VIDEO

Photo: LancsLive

A robot, along with around 50 firefighters, is tackling a significant fire at a factory on an industrial estate in Blackburn, Lancashire, which involves plastics.

The blaze broke out just after 00:30 BST on Shadsworth industrial estate, Sett End Road, with explosions heard and a massive plume of smoke visible in the sky, News.Az reports, citing BBC.

Residents are being urged to keep their windows and doors shut due to the potential hazards, as the fire rages near the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, according to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS).

There have been no reported injuries and LFRS said the fire had been brought under control overnight.

Tom Cookson, group manager at LFRS, said crews were met with a "well developed fire involving polypropylene at one of the businesses on the industrial estate".

"The smoke plume has significantly reduced in the last hour and the fire is surrounded," he said.

"We're going to be here throughout the day damping down and dealing with hot spots as they flare up."

Mr Cookson added: "Were advising local residents in the area to keep windows and doors shut, likewise to people driving in the area to keep windows shut."

Blackburn Police said on Facebook the hospital remained open, but Haslingden Road from the M65 to the hospital was down to one lane and "will be for a while".

The fire service previously said: "The fire involves plastics and there is a significant smoke plume affecting the local area."

News.Az