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Five injured in fireworks factory blaze in Stafford One missing and five injured in fireworks factory blaze in Stafford
(35 minutes later)
Five people have been injured at a large blaze at a fireworks factory in Stafford. One person is missing and five have been injured in a large blaze at a fireworks factory in Stafford, according to police.
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".
Video footage and photographs from the scene showed thick, black plumes of smoke rising around the factory on Tilcon Avenue as fireworks continually exploded.
Concerned residents raised the alarm after they heard a “loud bang” and saw smoke rising from the factory at 5.15pm.Concerned residents raised the alarm after they heard a “loud bang” and saw smoke rising from the factory at 5.15pm.
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 The area around the scene is currently cordoned off as at least 25 fire fighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service tackle the fire.
People in the Baswich area have been warned to keep indoors and close their windows. Video footage and photographs taken earlier at the scene show thick, black plumes of smoke rising around the SP Fireworks on Tilcon Avenue as fireworks continually explode.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) spokesman Steve Wheaton said the scene had become "much calmer" although firefighters were still busy.
Officials have since urged people in the Baswich area to keep indoors and close their windows.
Two 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
Superintendent Jane Hewett, of Staffordshire Police, said the police and fire crews are attempting to establish the cause of the fire, and arrangements are being made to search the scene tomorrow morning when the fire is extinguished and the scene made safe.
"Sadly, we currently believe one person remains unaccounted for and police are working to support their family," she said.
"The cause of the explosion remains unclear at this point. Police are working to locate everyone who had been in the premises this afternoon and urge anyone with any information about those visiting SP Fireworks today to call Staffordshire Police on 101."
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.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.
  
“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.“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.”
It is not yet clear what caused the fire.
Additional reporting by Press AssociationAdditional reporting by Press Association