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Peterborough fire: Trailers in blaze at Whirlpool HQ | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Explosions were heard as fire engulfed 52 lorry trailers at the headquarters of domestic appliance giant Whirlpool. | |
Black smoke could be seen for miles around the Shrewsbury Avenue site in Peterborough after the fire broke out about 19:00 BST on Thursday. | |
Eight crews and 55 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said. | |
The fire was under control by 22:17 BST but continued to smoulder, a fire service spokesman said. | |
Police remained at the site overnight and fire crews will inspect the site on Friday. | |
Witnesses reported hearing explosions and the fire service said it received almost 200 calls from concerned members of the public. | Witnesses reported hearing explosions and the fire service said it received almost 200 calls from concerned members of the public. |
Group commander Karl Bowden said the loud bangs reported were tyres on the trailers "popping off the rims" in the searing heat. | Group commander Karl Bowden said the loud bangs reported were tyres on the trailers "popping off the rims" in the searing heat. |
He said: "These are the articulated lorry trailers, so they're the largest ones you can get. | He said: "These are the articulated lorry trailers, so they're the largest ones you can get. |
"These lorry trailers are full of parts for washing machines and fridges." | "These lorry trailers are full of parts for washing machines and fridges." |
Firefighters from Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk were involved in tackling the blaze but Mr Bowden said only one crew remained overnight dampening down hotspots. | Firefighters from Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk were involved in tackling the blaze but Mr Bowden said only one crew remained overnight dampening down hotspots. |
A Whirlpool spokeswoman said no-one was injured and none of its buildings on the site were affected. | |
She said the fire began in an area where heavy goods vehicle trailers containing spare parts are parked. | |
The site would be operating as normal on Friday, she said, adding: "We also apologise to people living and working in the area for any disruption caused." | |
Whirlpool, which owns the brand Hotpoint, has its UK headquarters at the Peterborough site, which comprises its head offices and call centres, as well as logistics, training, and workshop facilities. | |
About 1,000 of Whirlpool's 2,500 UK workforce are based at the site, which has been involved in the domestic appliances industry since 1945. | |
Police confirmed no-one had been injured in the blaze, but people were told to avoid the area and residents advised to keep their windows and doors closed. | Police confirmed no-one had been injured in the blaze, but people were told to avoid the area and residents advised to keep their windows and doors closed. |