Fire at Telford sheet metal firm

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack after a blaze, believed to have started with some timber palettes, gutted part of a Shropshire factory.

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack after a blaze, believed to have started with some timber palettes, gutted part of a Shropshire factory.

Units at Secal Sheet Metals at Halesfield 19, in Telford, were left badly damaged after the fire quickly spread.

Seven fire engines went to the scene just before 5.30pm yesterday and firefighters spent more than two hours tackling the blaze. No-one was injured.

Workers arrived as normal this morning and two of the firm's five units were still operational today, with the other three shut off as police continued to investigate the cause of the fire.

Spokesman for Telford police, Chris Ammonds, said surrounding roads were closed off at the time of the fire due to fears that the factory contained gas bottles which could explode in the heat of the blaze.

Mr Ammonds said the fire was out just after 8pm and fire investigators were sent to the scene to try and find out how it started.

"We are investigating the fire at Secal Sheet Metals, where initial inquiries show it could be of dubious origin," he said.

"It may well have started outside the premises and then spread inside.

"There were some pallets which may well have been the seat of the fire and officers are working with the fire investigators to establish the cause of the fire.

"We would urge anyone with information to contact police."

Ken Maughan, who runs Flexiplus Partitions next door, said: "Luckily the fire has not affected us, we are very fortunate.

"We have got a lot of timber inside and if that had caught, well, it does not bear thinking about."

Anyone with information is urged to call Telford police on 0300 333 3000.