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Peterborough fire engulfs Hotpoint factory trailers Peterborough fire: Trailers in blaze at Whirlpool HQ
(32 minutes later)
Explosions were heard as fire engulfed 52 lorry trailers at a factory, sending a huge plume of smoke into the sky. Explosions were heard as fire engulfed 52 lorry trailers at the headquarters of domestic appliance giant Whirlpool.
The black smoke could be seen from miles around the Hotpoint site in Shrewsbury Avenue in Peterborough. 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.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said eight crews and 55 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height after being called at 19:00 BST on Thursday. Eight crews and 55 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
The fire continues to smoulder with crews reinspecting the site regularly, a spokesman said. The fire was under control by 22:17 BST but continued to smoulder, a fire service spokesman said.
The blaze was under control by 22:17 and police remained on the site overnight. 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 spokesman for Hotpoint's owner Whirlpool said no-one was injured and none of its buildings on the site were affected. A Whirlpool spokeswoman said no-one was injured and none of its buildings on the site were affected.
He said the site would be operating as normal on Friday, adding: "We also apologise to people living and working in the area for any disruption caused." 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.