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Homes evacuated in factory blaze Major blaze at chemical factory
(about 1 hour later)
More than 50 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a chemical plant in Crewe and nearby homes are being evacuated. People have been warned to stay indoors after a big fire broke out at a chemical works in Crewe.
Cheshire Fire Service said the outbreak on Crewe Gates Industrial Estate was a "major incident". Cheshire Fire Service are treating the blaze at two buildings owned by Aztec Chemicals on Crewe Gates Industrial Estate as a major incident.
The fire, at the Aztec Chemicals plant, off Weston Road, has led to a 200m exclusion zone being set up. Eighty firefighters are tackling the fire and businesses and factories within 200 metres have been evacuated.
Eleven fire engines are at the scene, together with six special appliances and a hazardous materials unit, as well as a foam tanker from Staffordshire. There are no reports of injuries. The company said it thought the fire began in a machine which shreds aerosol cans.
There are no reports of any injuries. Seventeen fire engines, six special appliances, a hazardous materials unit and a foam tanker are at the scene.
Cheshire Police said they were trying to find out if there was any risk to the public. As we know nobody in the surrounding area has been injured at all Karl Chadwick, Aztec Chemicals
Aztec Chemicals spokesman Karl Chadwick said: "If you looked at the fire about 10 minutes after it started, anybody who was in there would have no chance.
"But we got everybody out very quickly and as far as we know nobody in the surrounding area has been injured at all."
Eye witnesses have reported hearing popping sounds from the plant and police have advised people to stay indoors and close all doors and windows.
Hugh Wilson, who is a student at the nearby South Cheshire College, said: "We saw a huge amount of smoke going up into the sky and that was when we were about three miles away form where we are now.
'Firework display'
"When we were getting close it was like a tornado, it was just twisting, there was just so much smoke.
"It's just absolutely huge. I can't explain the smell but it's not very nice when you get close up."
Resident Kevin Jones said: "There's been a horrendous amount of banging and popping - canisters or whatever have been exploding - it sounded like a firework display, it was that loud."
A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: "All properties within the 200m exclusion zone have been evacuated.
"These properties are industrial and business. They do not include residential properties or schools.
'Find shelter indoors'
"Outside the exclusion zone, the advice for people walking into the path of the smoke from the fire is to find shelter indoors and keep windows and doors closed."
Motorists have been advised to avoid roads in the area and Crewe town centre as congestion builds from the diversions in place.
The roads closed are the A5020 at the junction with the A500, the A534 at the Crewe Green roundabout - which carries traffic towards Crewe railway station - Macon Way at the junction with Hungerford Road and Nantwich Road at the junction with Millfield Street.
British Transport Police said the train timetable has not been affected and trains are still moving.