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Explosions on industrial estate Explosions on industrial estate
(about 22 hours later)
A major chemical fire has started at an industrial estate at Andoversford near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.A major chemical fire has started at an industrial estate at Andoversford near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.
Police said there had been at least three explosions at the Biolab plant, which specialises in the treatment of swimming pool and spa water.Police said there had been at least three explosions at the Biolab plant, which specialises in the treatment of swimming pool and spa water.
Nearby businesses have been evacuated and witnesses told BBC News that thick black smoke is enveloping the area.Nearby businesses have been evacuated and witnesses told BBC News that thick black smoke is enveloping the area.
Police have closed a section of the A40 which passes the estate and the A436 to Stow-on-the-Wold.Police have closed a section of the A40 which passes the estate and the A436 to Stow-on-the-Wold.
Local residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precautionary measure.Local residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precautionary measure.
'Mushroom cloud''Mushroom cloud'
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Dave Hornibrook said: "At the moment, our efforts are to minimise the impact of the smoke given off, as we believe there are toxins in it.Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Dave Hornibrook said: "At the moment, our efforts are to minimise the impact of the smoke given off, as we believe there are toxins in it.
"The police helicopter is warning residents to keep their windows shut.""The police helicopter is warning residents to keep their windows shut."
The smoke from the fire is spreading across a large areaThe smoke from the fire is spreading across a large area
Terry Britchford, who was working in a barn opposite the industrial estate, said: "The building made a rumbling sound and at first I thought it was very loud thunder.Terry Britchford, who was working in a barn opposite the industrial estate, said: "The building made a rumbling sound and at first I thought it was very loud thunder.
"My friends and I then ran across the field towards where [the smoke] was coming from, thinking it may be a plane crash at that time."My friends and I then ran across the field towards where [the smoke] was coming from, thinking it may be a plane crash at that time.
"We could then see the fire and smoke coming from the industrial estate. It was a massive mushroom cloud filling the sky.""We could then see the fire and smoke coming from the industrial estate. It was a massive mushroom cloud filling the sky."
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