This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/5312338.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Explosions on industrial estate | Explosions on industrial estate |
| (about 22 hours later) | |
| A major chemical fire has started at an industrial estate at Andoversford near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. | A major chemical fire has started at an industrial estate at Andoversford near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. |
| Police said there had been at least three explosions at the Biolab plant, which specialises in the treatment of swimming pool and spa water. | Police said there had been at least three explosions at the Biolab plant, which specialises in the treatment of swimming pool and spa water. |
| Nearby businesses have been evacuated and witnesses told BBC News that thick black smoke is enveloping the area. | Nearby businesses have been evacuated and witnesses told BBC News that thick black smoke is enveloping the area. |
| Police have closed a section of the A40 which passes the estate and the A436 to Stow-on-the-Wold. | Police have closed a section of the A40 which passes the estate and the A436 to Stow-on-the-Wold. |
| Local residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precautionary measure. | Local residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precautionary measure. |
| 'Mushroom cloud' | 'Mushroom cloud' |
| Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Dave Hornibrook said: "At the moment, our efforts are to minimise the impact of the smoke given off, as we believe there are toxins in it. | Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Dave Hornibrook said: "At the moment, our efforts are to minimise the impact of the smoke given off, as we believe there are toxins in it. |
| "The police helicopter is warning residents to keep their windows shut." | "The police helicopter is warning residents to keep their windows shut." |
| The smoke from the fire is spreading across a large area | The smoke from the fire is spreading across a large area |
| Terry Britchford, who was working in a barn opposite the industrial estate, said: "The building made a rumbling sound and at first I thought it was very loud thunder. | Terry Britchford, who was working in a barn opposite the industrial estate, said: "The building made a rumbling sound and at first I thought it was very loud thunder. |
| "My friends and I then ran across the field towards where [the smoke] was coming from, thinking it may be a plane crash at that time. | "My friends and I then ran across the field towards where [the smoke] was coming from, thinking it may be a plane crash at that time. |
| "We could then see the fire and smoke coming from the industrial estate. It was a massive mushroom cloud filling the sky." | "We could then see the fire and smoke coming from the industrial estate. It was a massive mushroom cloud filling the sky." |
You can send your comments on the story using the form below. | |