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Five injured in fireworks factory blaze in Stafford Five injured in fireworks factory blaze in Stafford
(35 minutes later)
Five people have been treated by ambulance crews after a large blaze broke out at a fireworks factory. Five people have been injured at a large blaze at a fireworks factory in Stafford.
Police said emergency services were responding to “an explosion” and fire in Tilcon Avenue, Stafford. The area around the scene is currently cordoned off as over 40 fire fighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service tackle what they have described as “an escalating fire".
Worried local residents heard “a loud bang” and saw smoke coming from the factory at 5.15pm. Video footage and photographs from the scene showed thick, black plumes of smoke rising around the factory on Tilcon Avenue as fireworks continually exploded.
A safety cordon has been thrown up around the scene, which Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service described as “an escalating fire”. Concerned residents raised the alarm after they heard a “loud bang” and saw smoke rising from the factory at 5.15pm.
People in the Baswich area were warned to stay indoors with windows closed. Two of victims were hospitalised at University Hospital North Staffordshire, one with burns and the other was being treated for the effects of breathing in smoke. Two further victims were discharged at the scene, and one other had minor injuries, according to a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service
West Midlands Ambulance Service, which sent four ambulances, the Hazardous Area Response Team, four emergency doctors, five paramedic officers and two rapid response vehicles to the scene, has so far treated five people. People in the Baswich area have been warned to keep indoors and close their windows.
A spokesman said: “Two patients are being taken to the major trauma centre at University Hospital North Staffordshire. One has burns, the other has smoke inhalation. Two further patients have been discharged on scene. A further patient has minor injuries.” Four ambulances were attending the scene, as well as the Hazardous Area Response Team, four emergency doctors, five paramedic officers, two rapid response vehicles, while eight fire trucks used specialist equipment to tackle the blaze.
Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen in several photographs of the blaze posted online.  
“Large fire in industrial unit well alight. Trains running under caution near by. Stay indoors and keep windows shut,” a spokesman for the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
Onlooker Mike Hillman said he was watching from Tixall Road, adding “massive fire, loads of smoke this way, hope everyone is OK”.Onlooker Mike Hillman said he was watching from Tixall Road, adding “massive fire, loads of smoke this way, hope everyone is OK”.
He tweeted: “Hoping everyone is OK over there, looks like it has spread down the whole row of units on that side of the estate.”He tweeted: “Hoping everyone is OK over there, looks like it has spread down the whole row of units on that side of the estate.”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service rushed fire engines with specialist equipment and at least 25 firefighters to the scene along with specialist equipment when the alarm was raised. It is not yet clear what caused the fire.
A spokesman said eight appliances were helping to tackle the blaze. Additional reporting by Press Association
“Large fire in industrial unit well alight. Trains running under caution near by. Stay indoors and keep windows shut,” he said.
Press Association