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Major fire at fireworks factory Major fire at fireworks factory
(10 minutes later)
A major fire has broken out at a fireworks factory in East Sussex.A major fire has broken out at a fireworks factory in East Sussex.
Sussex Police said firefighters from the county were called to The Broyle in Ringmer, near Halland, between Lewes and Hailsham at 1350 GMT. Sussex Police said firefighters from the county were called to The Broyle near Ringmer, between Lewes and Hailsham, at 1350 GMT.
Witnesses have spoken of seeing a huge mushroom cloud of smoke from several miles away and fireworks going off.Witnesses have spoken of seeing a huge mushroom cloud of smoke from several miles away and fireworks going off.
Police have declared the fire a major incident and are evacuating the area. According to reports, some people have been injured.Police have declared the fire a major incident and are evacuating the area. According to reports, some people have been injured.
Six ambulances, 10 fire engines, and an air ambulance are at the scene.Six ambulances, 10 fire engines, and an air ambulance are at the scene.
'Rockets going off'
A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "There has been an explosion and there are people injured."A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "There has been an explosion and there are people injured."
John Winter, whose brother owns the factory, told BBC News 24 there had been "an almighty bang, and the place shook".John Winter, whose brother owns the factory, told BBC News 24 there had been "an almighty bang, and the place shook".
He said his brother and sons had managed to get out of the factory safely.He said his brother and sons had managed to get out of the factory safely.
"The place is still burning, but no-one is doing anything," he said."The place is still burning, but no-one is doing anything," he said.
Tiles and windows had been blown into neighbouring houses, Mr Winter added.Tiles and windows had been blown into neighbouring houses, Mr Winter added.
It is understood the fireworks factory is a concrete complex with steel doors.It is understood the fireworks factory is a concrete complex with steel doors.
Jo Hyne, who lives about 500m from the factory, said she heard a loud bang which she had thought at first was thunder.Jo Hyne, who lives about 500m from the factory, said she heard a loud bang which she had thought at first was thunder.
She said there was "a colossal amount of smoke, and rockets going off", before a much larger explosion that shook her house.She said there was "a colossal amount of smoke, and rockets going off", before a much larger explosion that shook her house.
She added that a friend who lived five miles away had had two doors in her house blown off.She added that a friend who lived five miles away had had two doors in her house blown off.


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