Investigation ongoing as major fire breaks out at factory again

AN INVESTIGATION is under way into the cause of a major factory fire.

A massive blaze took hold at the Kronospan factory in Chirk on Tuesday, with huge flames and thick smoke seen coming from one of the large chimneys on the site.

It is the second large blaze to take hold at the facility in the past 12 months.

Firefighters arrived on the scene at 10pm on Tuesday, with five crews as well as two aerial ladder platforms being required to put out the blaze. It had been largely extinguished by 12.30am.

Crews used hose-reels, thermalimaging cameras and breathing apparatus to deal with the blaze.

A fire service spokesman said that while there were currently no details about damage, it was believed to have been largely confined to the chimney.

The cause is being investigated, although it is thought to be accidental.

Police and paramedics were also called to the scene of the incident, but it is believed no-one was hurt.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones said she will discuss this latest fire at the factory with Kronospan and Wrexham Council.

In September last year, dozens of firefighters spent nearly six hours battling another large fire on the site.

Kronospan said no-one was injured by the blaze, which started in a drier and involved woodchippings.

Several fires have hit the factory in recent years, including one in 2014 which took 11 hours to put out.

Nearby residents have also complained about dust coming from the factory on Holyhead Road, which employs around 600 people. Kronospan manufactures and distributes wood-based panels.

Kronospan and Wrexham Council have been approached for comment.