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Flintshire fire: Crews tackle Greenfield factory blaze | Flintshire fire: Crews tackle Greenfield factory blaze |
(35 minutes later) | |
Residents have been urged to stay indoors as fire crews tackle a large blaze at a factory in Flintshire. | Residents have been urged to stay indoors as fire crews tackle a large blaze at a factory in Flintshire. |
Smoke is billowing from the Greenfield Business Park near Holywell with many explosions being heard in the area. | Smoke is billowing from the Greenfield Business Park near Holywell with many explosions being heard in the area. |
Around 30 firefighters are tackling the blaze which spread to the Mainetti coathanger factory from a storage area causing pressurised vessels to explode. | Around 30 firefighters are tackling the blaze which spread to the Mainetti coathanger factory from a storage area causing pressurised vessels to explode. |
Trains are disrupted and the A548 coast road is closed from Flint to Prestatyn, with smoke also blowing across the A55. | Trains are disrupted and the A548 coast road is closed from Flint to Prestatyn, with smoke also blowing across the A55. |
"Due to the significant smoke, properties have been evacuated and local residents are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed," said a North Wales Fire and Rescue spokesman. | "Due to the significant smoke, properties have been evacuated and local residents are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed," said a North Wales Fire and Rescue spokesman. |
The fire started in the open at the business park off Bagillt Road and involved a "substantial quantity" of materials. | The fire started in the open at the business park off Bagillt Road and involved a "substantial quantity" of materials. |
The blaze produced a large plume of smoke which can be seen from some distance away. | The blaze produced a large plume of smoke which can be seen from some distance away. |
The fire service said explosions reported by residents were due to pressurised vessels, and that risk of further explosions has been minimised. | The fire service said explosions reported by residents were due to pressurised vessels, and that risk of further explosions has been minimised. |
Firefighters from Prestatyn, Rhyl, Flint, Mold, Buckley and Deeside were called to the scene at 10:32 BST. | Firefighters from Prestatyn, Rhyl, Flint, Mold, Buckley and Deeside were called to the scene at 10:32 BST. |
The spokesperson explained that the blaze originated in external storage at a factory on the estate. | The spokesperson explained that the blaze originated in external storage at a factory on the estate. |
A specialist foam unit from Deeside has also been called in along with the ambulance service. | A specialist foam unit from Deeside has also been called in along with the ambulance service. |
There has been disruption to rail travel between Chester and Holyhead due to the fire. | There has been disruption to rail travel between Chester and Holyhead due to the fire. |
Virgin Trains says replacement buses are being arranged to run between Chester and Rhyl. | Virgin Trains says replacement buses are being arranged to run between Chester and Rhyl. |
'Toxic-smelling' | |
Elfyn Pierce Jones was at his home 50 metres from the factory when the fire and explosions began and said he'd never experienced anything like it. | |
He told BBC Radio Wales: "There was billowing black smoke, thick black toxic-smelling smoke coming over my house. | |
"There's been at least 50 explosions here ... my house is a 16th century stone-built house and the windows and door frames are vibrating with the explosions - it's that bad. | |
"We can't get out because there is a police car across my gate - I'm a self-employed parcel courier and I've got parcels here to deliver. | |
"We run Flintshire Wildlife Rescue from here and at any given time we'll have about 200 animals and birds here. | |
"The fire service said for us to get the animals and birds into the house but it's impossible as we have a pig in the garden and birds of prey. | |
"We've managed to round up cats and dogs and bring them in. We're having to keep all doors and windows shut." |