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Warning over 'toxic' smoke fears Residents moved amid smoke fears
(about 1 hour later)
People in the Coleraine area are being urged to stay indoors amid fears of toxic smoke from a warehouse fire. Up to 150 homes in the Coleraine area have been evacuated amid fears of toxic smoke from a warehouse fire.
Firefighters are tackling the blaze at Armstrong Medical Services in the Wattstown Business Park. About 80 firefighters are tackling the blaze which broke out at Armstrong Medical Services, in the Wattstown Business Park, at about 1730 BST.
Part of the warehouse which is thought to contain pharmaceutical chemicals is on fire. It is not known if these substances are poisonous. The Fire and Rescue Service said a small amount of chemicals was involved in the fire. However, a large smoke plume is drifting up to 15 miles away.
Large plumes of black of smoke can be seen over the area and are drifting as far as Kilrea, 15 miles away. It is not known at this stage if the substances are poisonous.
Fire crews have been damping down the buildingThe fire broke out at about 1730 BST and spread rapidly throughout the plant. On arrival at the Newbridge Road plant, fire crews found a well developed fire in a large two-storey warehouse building.
The emergency services are urging people to stay out of the line of smoke as a precaution and to close windows. Although the fire is now under control, the emergency services are urging people to stay out of the line of smoke as a precaution and to close windows.
A large store at the back of the plant was completely destroyed, and fire crews have been damping down the building to put out the remaining flames. Fire crews have been damping down the building
A large store at the back of the plant has been destroyed.
Roads in the area have been closed.
Armstrong Medical was established in 1984 to manufacture and sell respiratory disposable products for critical care applications.
Ulster Unionist Norman Hillis expressed fears for the jobs of almost 70 staff at the plant.
He added: "The fire could leave the immediate future uncertain for staff at Armstrong Medical Services.
"The company is one of Coleraine's most successful businesses and it has only recently expanded premises at Wattstown Business Park.
"The extent of the damage is not yet clear but certainly it is a major blow to this progressive company."