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Homes evacuated in Rotherwas industrial estate fire Residents return home after 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. Residents have returned home after a major fire at a flooring factory forced them to be evacuated on Wednesday morning.
It is not thought anyone has been hurt in the blaze at Bathgate Flooring on Rotherwas Industrial Estate. About 10 homes in Hereford were emptied shortly after 10:00 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. It is not thought anyone was hurt in the blaze at Bathgate Flooring on Rotherwas Industrial Estate.
Fire chiefs said crews had made "good progress" but concerns remained about smoke being blown by strong winds. 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.
West Mercia Police have evacuated about 10 properties in the area, using Hereford Leisure Centre as an emergency base. 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".
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. Cause unknown
"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." 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.
Residents near the fire were being warned to stay indoors and keep windows shut. "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."
Elizabeth Shassere, from Herefordshire Council, said: "This is a precaution as the material burning is largely wood and the impact on people's health is expected to be minimal." Those living near the fire continue to be advised to stay indoors and keep windows shut.
She said anyone with symptoms of coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, phlegm or chest pain should seek medical advice from their GP. 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 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 said no signs of contaminated water from the fire had been found in the nearby River Wye.
Officers have been monitoring the River Wye for contaminated water from the fire and said none had been found.