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Blast fears at chemical fire site Blast fears at chemical fire site
(30 minutes later)
At least 75 firefighters are at the scene of a fire at a packaging site containing chemicals in Herefordshire. Up to 90 firefighters have been tackling a fire at a packaging site containing chemicals in Herefordshire.
About 150 people were told to leave their homes due to the possible danger of explosions during the blaze at Skymark, Southern Avenue, Leominster. Nearly 200 people were told to leave their homes due to the possible danger of explosions during the blaze at Skymark, Southern Avenue, Leominster.
A 200m (218.72yd) exclusion zone has been set up in the area. The two-storey building contains "a large quantity of chemicals, solvents and LPG gas cylinders" but there are no casualties, the fire service said.
The site contains "a large quantity of chemicals, solvents and LPG gas cylinders" but there are no casualties, the fire service said. There have been "minor explosions", a spokesman added.
'Wake up''Wake up'
A fire service spokesman said: "We're having to tackle the blaze externally because of the dangers not just to our firefighters but also to the immediate population around that area." But he said it was known if those explosions were gas cylinders.
The service was called at about 0330 BST on Wednesday and crews from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire were sent to the scene. It is understood some 50,000 litres of chemicals together with a number of butane gas cylinders are at the site.
The Minster College, Leominster Infants and Leominster Junior schools have been closed. The spokesman said: "A plume of black smoke carrying chemicals out of this factory premises can be seen for many miles away."
A 200m (218.72yd) exclusion zone has been set up in the area and a refuge centre has been set up at a sports centre.
People have been advised to stay indoors and close all windows and doors.
Many roads have been closed following the fire
A fire service spokesman said: "We're having to tackle the blaze externally because of the dangers, not just to our firefighters but also to the immediate population around that area."
The Minster College, Leominster Infants, Leominster Junior and Westfield Special schools have been closed.
Trains have been unable to call at Leominster railway station and because of the severity of the fire, there is no replacement road transport, National Rail said at about 0815 BST.
Local bus services have been cancelled and many roads have been closed.
'Right across'
The service was called at about 0330 BST on Wednesday and the site was well alight when crews got there.
Between 80 and 90 firefighters from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire were sent to the scene.
The fire service said the Environment Agency had been trying to prevent any spillage into nearby rivers and streams.
Jim Melia, who lives near to the scene, said it was on the southern edge of the town and there was a plume of black smoke "going right across" Leominster.Jim Melia, who lives near to the scene, said it was on the southern edge of the town and there was a plume of black smoke "going right across" Leominster.
Speaking from a hill overlooking the town, he said: "The plume of smoke is going to the north over the town.Speaking from a hill overlooking the town, he said: "The plume of smoke is going to the north over the town.
"About 5 o'clock this morning we heard just the odd emergency sound of an ambulance or something and it happened a few times."About 5 o'clock this morning we heard just the odd emergency sound of an ambulance or something and it happened a few times.
"I think they were just trying to wake people up and make them aware something was going on.""I think they were just trying to wake people up and make them aware something was going on."
The fire service said it expected to be at the scene for the rest of the day.
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