WAREHOUSE INFERNO
Major incident declared as huge fire erupts at warehouse with plumes of smoke seen for miles & people urged to stay away
Residents have been warned to keep their windows and doors slammed shut
A MAJOR incident has been declared after an enormous blaze broke out at a warehouse, sending giant plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.
People have reported seeing the inferno from as far as 20 miles away, with locals near the Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden, Northamptonshire, being warned to stay clear as firefighters tackle the flames.
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue has also ordered residents to keep their windows and doors slammed shut as thick smoke from burning plastic at the recycling warehouse fills the air.
Gas to the site has been cut as a precaution, with up to 500 properties nearby being warned their supply could be impacted.
However, the fire service said it was working with North Northamptonshire Council and Cadent to "mitigate any impact" this could have on residents.
A nearby major road, the A5001 Wellingborough Road, has also closed to allow crews to tackle the blaze, Northants Police confirmed.
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One witness said they could see smoke billowing into the sky from 20 miles away in Towcester.
12 fire engines are currently as the scene, alongside three turntable ladders, two water bowsers, and a high-volume pump, with fire crews saying they expect to be at the site until Sunday.
Thankfully, the building had been fully evacuated as the fire took hold, and there have been no reports of any casualties.
The cause of the fire, however, is yet to be confirmed.
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Fire crews declared the blaze a "Major Incident" in an update shortly before midday, as smoke continued to flood the sky.
Area Manager Mick Berry, from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a large fire that is having a significant impact on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden.
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"A multi-agency decision has been taken to declare a Major Incident, but fire crews are working extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading and reduce the smoke plume.
"We would urge people to stay away from the site while emergency services deal with this incident and ask nearby residents to close windows and doors due to the large amount of smoke issuing from the site."
He added: "We anticipate that we will be on scene over the rest of the weekend, and we appreciate the impact this is having on local businesses on the estate and would like to thank them for their patience.”
In a statement this morning, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was "currently dealing with a large fire at a recycling warehouse on Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden."
It added: "Crews were called shortly before 6.30am and on arrival found a fire involving a large quantity of plastic at the premises.
"The building was evacuated prior to our arrival.
"We currently have 10 fire engines on scene, as well as three turntable ladders, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump.
"We are receiving cross-border support from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with this incident, and we anticipate we will be on scene for the rest of the weekend.
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"A section of Wellingborough Road near the warehouse is closed, and due to the large smoke plume coming from the blaze, we are asking people nearby to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed."
This comes just a week after three people tragically died in a horrific blaze at a former RAF base in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
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