Residents Told To Stay Indoors

A major fire has broken out at a plastic recycling factory on an industrial estate in Northamptonshire, triggering fears of noxious fumes.

Residents of Daventry have been warned to stay indoors because smoke from the burning factory could be toxic.

Although the Northamptonshire fire service said the blaze on Daventry's Heartlands business park was now under control, a police spokeswoman has urged residents not go outside unless "necessary".

She added that if people near the fire feel sick they should contact NHS Direct or their GP.

The fire at Wincanton's waste electrical recycling centre is thought to have started in a pile of items in the unit's rear yard.

Currently, five fire engines and an aerial ladder remain at the scene, while the Environment Agency and Health Protection Agencies have also been informed.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “This is another example of an accident at work that has had the potential of harming local residents.

In major work accidents like fires and explosions at work, there is the risk to workers and also risk to local residents.”

Mr Urpeth represented over 75 workers and many residents who were injured in the 2001 at the Killingholme refinery when over 170 tonnes of liquid petroleum gas caught fire, the largest chemical disaster since Flixborough. Conoco-Phillips, who owned the plant, was eventually fined £1m for breaching health and safety regulations after the explosion at its Humber refinery.