Toxic fear in factory fire

Toxic smoke billowed from a Shropshire industrial estate after a factory went up in flames. Firefighters from across the county were called to tackle the blaze at Acoustafoam, Halesfield 10, Telford, where a toxic compound was stored.An evacuation of surrounding residential areas was avoided as the wind carried smoke from the fire away from homes, although flames and smoke could be seen for miles.

More than 50 firefighters from 12 stations across the county were at the scene at the height of the blaze following the call at about 9.20pm yesterday.

Officers were today on site carrying out an investigation into the cause.

They said the unit would almost certainly have to be demolished.

Incident commander Paul Fulgoni said the noise control engineering unit stored large quantities of toxic isocyanates which had become involved in the fire.

“Fortunately the wind direction carried the smoke plume away from any residential areas and we are grateful to the police for helping us ensure no-one was affected by the fumes,” he said.

Paul Raymond, deputy chief fire officer for Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service, said: “Thankfully there were no casualties on this occasion and the prompt action of our crews has prevented the situation from becoming a real disaster.

“The potential existed for this fire to have spread to a number of surrounding units and cause untold damage and financial loss.

“The Halesfield site provides much work for the local population and we faced the risk of a big blow to the borough’s prosperity.”

Divisional officer Mike Ablitt, who heads the brigade’s fire safety department, said: “The unit will be out of production for a considerable period and we urge businesses to consider how they will maintain the continuity of their business if it is involved in a fire.”

A West Mercia Police spokesman said officers were called out to a report of a factory fire involving possibly toxic fumes.

A spokesman for Good Storage (UK), the factory unit next door to Acoustafoam, said: “Fire crews were trying to fight it from inside our unit and we have suffered a lot of water and smoke damage. It’s been a really awful night.”

Acoustafoam declined to comment.

Picture: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.