Firefighters battle huge factory blaze as workers and local residents evacuated
EMERGENCY SERVICES CONFIRM ALL STAFF ARE ACCOUNTED FOR
ALL staff at a west Hull plastics factory are accounted for and safe following a huge blaze, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed last night.
Firefighters remained at the scene of the fire – believed to be the Bridgewood Factory site in Saxon Way, Hessle, following the blaze – which broke out at around 4pm yesterday.
Residents living nearby were evacuated from their homes as explosions were heard across the city and thick dark smoke clouds dominated Hull’s skies.
Phil Leake, of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said “We want to thank members of the public for their patience.
“We got the call that a plastic factory in Saxon Way, Hessle, was on fire at around 4pm on Wednesday.
“We currently have 14 fire engines down at the scene where I can confirm that, thankfully, there were no injuries were sustained.
“This was down to the work from the fire crews earlier on getting everyone to safety.
“We are currently trying to secure the blaze and will be working throughout the night to get families back in their homes.
“We don’t know how the fire started yet, but we will be conducting further investigations.”
Some residents of Buttfield Road, which was closed off by
Humberside Police, sought shelter in churches and local pubs.
The fire service said their aim was to get people back into their homes.
The fire service was working with the Environment Agency in order to contain water and the smoke particles.
Residents were asked to keep their windows and doors shut if possible.
Hundreds of residents took to social media and shared photographs of the enormous cloud of smoke, and bright orange
flames appearing behind their homes.
Drivers travelling on the A63 and near the Humber Bridge saw the huge inferno pass them by.
Some heard “loud bangs” and “huge explosions every ten seconds”, leaving them shaken up by the “horrid” experience.
One man, who lives in Hawthorn Avenue, between Hessle Road and Anlaby Road, said he could hear the explosions “like bombs” coming from the fire and even had debris like “coal” landing in his garden.
Some residents in a number of areas across the city were also left with no power and discoloured tap water in their homes.
Drivers travelling home from work were stuck in gridlock traffic after the A63 was impacted by the fire.
A lorry was spotted on its side in the middle of the road, causing major delays until around 7pm.
Bus services were also interrupted.
Police closed off Priory Way in Hessle and a number of pubs and shops in Hessle Square had to close as the smoke crept closer.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service continued to work around the clock throughout the night.