This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-22180636
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Homes evacuated in Rotherwas industrial estate fire | Homes evacuated in Rotherwas industrial estate fire |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| About 10 homes have been evacuated in Hereford as fire crews deal with a major fire at a flooring factory. | About 10 homes have been evacuated in Hereford as fire crews deal with a major fire at a flooring factory. |
| It is not thought anyone has been hurt in the blaze at Bathgate Flooring on Rotherwas Industrial Estate. | |
| Some of the company's 50 staff were evacuated from the site and 12 fire engines were called after the blaze started at about 08:15 BST. | Some of the company's 50 staff were evacuated from the site and 12 fire engines were called after the blaze started at about 08:15 BST. |
| Fire chiefs said they were concerned about smoke which was being blown in a northerly direction by strong winds. | Fire chiefs said they were concerned about smoke which was being blown in a northerly direction by strong winds. |
| Evacuation area | |
| West Mercia Police have evacuated about 10 properties in the area, using Hereford Leisure Centre as an emergency base. | West Mercia Police have evacuated about 10 properties in the area, using Hereford Leisure Centre as an emergency base. |
| Supt Ivan Powell said: "An 800m cordon has been put in place around the factory and only residential properties within that cordon have been evacuated. | |
| "Anyone who is not at home at the moment but was planning on returning to the area within the cordon is welcome to either go to the leisure centre or make their own arrangements." | |
| Other residents are being warned to stay indoors and keep windows shut. | Other residents are being warned to stay indoors and keep windows shut. |
| The Environment Agency has set up an incident room as a precaution, to offer specialist advice to the emergency services on contamination and air quality. | The Environment Agency has set up an incident room as a precaution, to offer specialist advice to the emergency services on contamination and air quality. |
| Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said they expected crews to be on the scene for most of the day. | Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said they expected crews to be on the scene for most of the day. |