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Crews probe cause of Peterhead fish factory blaze | |
(about 12 hours later) | |
Fire investigators are probing the cause of a blaze which destroyed a Peterhead fish factory. | |
The fire which burned for more than 10 hours at the Northbay Pelagic site was brought under control overnight into Sunday. | |
Nearby flats were evacuated but no-one was believed to have been in the factory at the time. | Nearby flats were evacuated but no-one was believed to have been in the factory at the time. |
The fire service said the investigation into the cause of the blaze was getting under way on Monday. | |
A rest centre was set up at Peterhead Academy for people evacuated from their homes in Errol Street and road closures were expected to remain in place for some time. | A rest centre was set up at Peterhead Academy for people evacuated from their homes in Errol Street and road closures were expected to remain in place for some time. |
Three crews remained on scene overnight to damp down the fire before investigators assess the damage and potential cause. | Three crews remained on scene overnight to damp down the fire before investigators assess the damage and potential cause. |
Northbay Pelagic is reported to employ about 300 people in Peterhead, one of Europe's busiest fish landing ports. | Northbay Pelagic is reported to employ about 300 people in Peterhead, one of Europe's busiest fish landing ports. |
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Northbay Pelagic is one of the largest fish factories in Scotland and a major employer in Peterhead. | Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Northbay Pelagic is one of the largest fish factories in Scotland and a major employer in Peterhead. |
"As we start the new mackerel season the Scottish government stands ready to assist in the aftermath of this fire in any way we can. | "As we start the new mackerel season the Scottish government stands ready to assist in the aftermath of this fire in any way we can. |
"We are asking public agencies to work with the local authority and the business to see what support can be offered as a matter of urgency." | "We are asking public agencies to work with the local authority and the business to see what support can be offered as a matter of urgency." |
Earlier on Saturday, clouds of smoke could be seen billowing across the harbour area and there were reports of loud bangs from inside the building. | Earlier on Saturday, clouds of smoke could be seen billowing across the harbour area and there were reports of loud bangs from inside the building. |
One eyewitness described it as looking like a "volcano" erupting. | One eyewitness described it as looking like a "volcano" erupting. |
At its peak 10 fire units and several specialist crews tackled the flames. | At its peak 10 fire units and several specialist crews tackled the flames. |
The building involved was formerly the Fresh Catch fish factory. The firm was taken over in a "joint venture" by new company Northbay Pelagic Ltd in 2013. | The building involved was formerly the Fresh Catch fish factory. The firm was taken over in a "joint venture" by new company Northbay Pelagic Ltd in 2013. |
The smoke clouds were visible from Peterhead FC's Balmoor Stadium. The club were playing Stirling Albion at home on Saturday afternoon. | The smoke clouds were visible from Peterhead FC's Balmoor Stadium. The club were playing Stirling Albion at home on Saturday afternoon. |
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