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Hundreds moved over poison fears Toxic fire forces home evacuation
(19 minutes later)
Up to 600 people in the Coleraine area had to be evacuated due to toxic smoke from a fire at a pharmaceutical plant. Hundreds of people have spent the night in hotels or with relatives after a toxic fire forced them from their homes.
Up to 600 houses in the Coleraine area had to be evacuated due to smoke from a fire at a pharmaceutical plant.
About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at Armstrong Medical in Wattstown Business Park.About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at Armstrong Medical in Wattstown Business Park.
The warehouse contained chemicals and a large plume of smoke had been drifting up to 15 miles away.The warehouse contained chemicals and a large plume of smoke had been drifting up to 15 miles away.
About 175 homes in the Windy Hall estate and another 400 homes in Knocklynn and Newbridge were evacuated, with many people staying in hotels.About 175 homes in the Windy Hall estate and another 400 homes in Knocklynn and Newbridge were evacuated, with many people staying in hotels.
Residents have been taken to an arts centre in Portstewart and Coleraine Leisure Centre for the night. Residents were taken to an arts centre in Portstewart and Coleraine Leisure Centre for the night.
The blaze broke out at about 1730 BST and when fire crews arrived they found a well developed fire in a large two-storey warehouse building. The blaze broke out at about 1730 BST on Thursday and when fire crews arrived they found a well developed fire in a large two-storey warehouse building.
The fire was brought under control but a large store at the back of the plant has been destroyed.The fire was brought under control but a large store at the back of the plant has been destroyed.
Black smoke spread over a large areaBlack smoke spread over a large area
Roads in the area have been closed.
Armstrong Medical was established in 1984 to manufacture and sell respiratory disposable products for critical care applications.Armstrong Medical was established in 1984 to manufacture and sell respiratory disposable products for critical care applications.
Ulster Unionist Norman Hillis expressed fears for the jobs of almost 70 staff at the plant.Ulster Unionist Norman Hillis expressed fears for the jobs of almost 70 staff at the plant.
He added: "The fire could leave the immediate future uncertain for staff at Armstrong Medical Services.He added: "The fire could leave the immediate future uncertain for staff at Armstrong Medical Services.
"The company is one of Coleraine's most successful businesses and it has only recently expanded premises at Wattstown Business Park."The company is one of Coleraine's most successful businesses and it has only recently expanded premises at Wattstown Business Park.
"The extent of the damage is not yet clear but certainly it is a major blow to this progressive company.""The extent of the damage is not yet clear but certainly it is a major blow to this progressive company."