Expert Calls For Investigation

Up to 100 firefighters were called upon to bring a fire at an industrial estate in Northamptonshire under control yesterday (March 25th).

Residents living close to the estate in Corby were urged to close their windows after the fire broke in the morning at a Catalent Solutions warehouse in the area.

According to reports, firefighters were in control of the fire by the late afternoon.

Irwin Mitchell has represented a number of clients who have been injured in similar industrial fires in the past. The law firm provided support for over 75 workers and residents injured at the Killingholme refinery in 2001.

The largest chemical disaster since Flixborough, the incident saw over 170 tonnes of liquid petroleum gas catch fire. Conoco-Phillips, the owner of the plant, was fined £1 million for breaching safety regulations.

David Urpeth, national head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Fires at work are potentially hazardous not only for workers but local residents.”

“It is welcome news that the blaze in Corby was brought under control yesterday, but information as to how the incident came about is undoubtedly needed.

“As the fire was related to a pharmaceutical firm’s warehouse, it is possible that chemicals will have been involved. I hope that an investigation into the events is carried out quickly and thoroughly, particularly so that lessons can be learnt that will prevent any similar incidents from happening again.”