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Flintshire fire: Crews tackle Greenfield factory blaze Flintshire fire: Crews tackle Greenfield factory blaze
(about 1 hour 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.
The company said the factory, which employs 100 people, was evacuated safely.The company said the factory, which employs 100 people, was evacuated safely.
"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 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.
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 blaze started in the open at the business park off Bagillt Road and involved a "substantial quantity" of materials.
A specialist foam unit from Deeside has also been called in along with the ambulance service. It produced a large plume of smoke which could be seen from some distance away, while explosions reported by residents were due to pressurised vessels.
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.
Rest centre
Mainetti recycles coat hangers at the plant.Mainetti recycles coat hangers at the plant.
Production director Graham Wilson said it was too soon to say what caused the fire.Production director Graham Wilson said it was too soon to say what caused the fire.
"Our emergency procedures all worked well," he said."Our emergency procedures all worked well," he said.
"The fire service is still on site and we are thankful for the work they are doing.""The fire service is still on site and we are thankful for the work they are doing."
Mr Wilson confirmed it was a "substantial fire," which had started outside but had spread to some of the buildings.Mr Wilson confirmed it was a "substantial fire," which had started outside but had spread to some of the buildings.
He said it was too soon to say when the factory would be up and running again.He said it was too soon to say when the factory would be up and running again.
'Toxic-smelling' Flintshire council said school transport had been sent out earlier than usual to take pupils home, and that arrangements were in place to take care of residents displaced by the fire.
Neil Ayling, director of community services said: "A rest centre has been opened at Holywell Leisure Centre for residents who require assistance or shelter.
"We would urge residents to heed the advice of the emergency services dealing with the incident and stay indoors and for motorists to avoid the area."
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.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.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."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 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."
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales officers are working with the fire service to prevent a fire water run-off from getting into the Dee estuary, a protected wildlife area and also known for its cockle beds.Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales officers are working with the fire service to prevent a fire water run-off from getting into the Dee estuary, a protected wildlife area and also known for its cockle beds.
"We are working with the fire service to put booms in place to make sure as little damage as possible is done to the environment," said a spokesman."We are working with the fire service to put booms in place to make sure as little damage as possible is done to the environment," said a spokesman.