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-stoke-staffordshire-35705357

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Fire at Stafford industrial cleaning company Fire at Stafford industrial cleaning company
(about 1 hour later)
A large fire has broken out at an industrial cleaning company in Stafford.A large fire has broken out at an industrial cleaning company in Stafford.
More than 50 firefighters are working to stop the Global Hygiene blaze, on Astonfields Industrial Estate, spreading to a 40,000-litre oil tank.More than 50 firefighters are working to stop the Global Hygiene blaze, on Astonfields Industrial Estate, spreading to a 40,000-litre oil tank.
One person has been treated for minor burns but there were no reports of any further casualties, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said. One worker has been treated for minor burns but there were no reports of any further casualties, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
All staff were safe, a spokeswoman for Global Hygiene said.All staff were safe, a spokeswoman for Global Hygiene said.
Fire updates and more Staffordshire newsFire updates and more Staffordshire news
The company said the fire broke out in a building which was under construction.
Houses within 50 metres of the blaze have been evacuated.Houses within 50 metres of the blaze have been evacuated.
Two nearby schools - St Patrick's Catholic Primary and Nursery School and John Wheeldon Primary School - are closing early because of the smoke and fumes.Two nearby schools - St Patrick's Catholic Primary and Nursery School and John Wheeldon Primary School - are closing early because of the smoke and fumes.
The fire, which has been declared a "major incident", was reported by a worker at the industrial cleaning supply firm at about 08:45 GMT.The fire, which has been declared a "major incident", was reported by a worker at the industrial cleaning supply firm at about 08:45 GMT.
A fire brigade spokesman said there was "a large quantity of oil - a 40,000-litre container of heat transfer oil" on the premises, but it was not alight.A fire brigade spokesman said there was "a large quantity of oil - a 40,000-litre container of heat transfer oil" on the premises, but it was not alight.
Emergency services have been using the nearby Stafford Rangers Football Club a few hundred yards away as a command post to organise the firefighting effort.Emergency services have been using the nearby Stafford Rangers Football Club a few hundred yards away as a command post to organise the firefighting effort.
Drummond Road is closed at the junction with Astonfields Road and motorists are being warned of reduced visibility in the area due to smoke.Drummond Road is closed at the junction with Astonfields Road and motorists are being warned of reduced visibility in the area due to smoke.
Ass Ch Cons for Staffordshire Police, Nick Adderley, tweeted: "No loss of life, just one minor injury. Declared a major incident." Assistant Chief Constable for Staffordshire Police, Nick Adderley, tweeted: "No loss of life, just one minor injury. Declared a major incident."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "One man has been treated at the scene for minor burns to his hands. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said the worker with minor burns did not require hospital treatment.
"Following treatment from medics the man was discharged and did not require hospital treatment. "Medics from the Hazardous Area Response Team will remain on scene to support the fire service whilst they continue to fight the large fire," he added.
"Medics from the Hazardous Area Response Team will remain on scene to support the fire service whilst they continue to fight the large fire."
'Balls of flame''Balls of flame'
A director of Global Hygiene said in a statement: "There was one person in the building at the time the fire started and he was evacuated safely.
"Some of the neighbouring units on the technology park were also evacuated to ensure the safety of everyone on site.
"We are very grateful to the fire services who responded very promptly to the emergency call."
He added it was too early to comment on the cause of the fire and said an investigation was under way.
Sarah Kearney, who works nearby, said: "We came in to work at about 9am.Sarah Kearney, who works nearby, said: "We came in to work at about 9am.
"I sat down, looked out of the window, there was thick black smoke."I sat down, looked out of the window, there was thick black smoke.
"In the last hour it just got thicker and thicker. We saw explosions, balls of flame."In the last hour it just got thicker and thicker. We saw explosions, balls of flame.
"If I go outside, I can hear sirens everywhere.""If I go outside, I can hear sirens everywhere."