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Residents return home after Rotherwas industrial estate fire | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Residents have returned home after a major fire at a flooring factory forced them to be evacuated on Wednesday morning. | |
About 10 homes in Hereford were emptied shortly after 10:00 BST. | |
It is not thought anyone was 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 that started at about 08:15 BST. | |
About seven hours later emergency services gave the green light for residents to go home, with the warning "smoke is likely to continue for the next few hours". | |
Cause unknown | |
Supt Ivan Powell from West Mercia Police said: "The information [from the fire service] is that their officers continue to tackle the fire and have successfully managed to contain the flames. | |
"It is anticipated that the fire will continue to burn for a number of hours. It is too early to say what the cause of the fire may be." | |
Those living near the fire continue to be advised to stay indoors and keep windows shut. | |
Elizabeth Shassere, from Herefordshire Council, said anyone with symptoms of coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, phlegm or chest pain should seek medical advice from their GP. | |
Dr Arif Mahmood, consultant in public health medicine at the council, added: "Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed." | Dr Arif Mahmood, consultant in public health medicine at the council, added: "Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed." |
The Environment Agency said no signs of contaminated water from the fire had been found in the nearby River Wye. | |