Huge Fire At Linthwaite Chemicals Factory
A large explosion and fire struck the Grosvenor Chemicals factory in Linthwaite overnight. More than 100 firefighters and 25 fire engines have been tackling the blaze, and there has been disruption to roads and schools in the area.
The fire broke out shortly before 1am. According to the fire brigade, the blaze was in a section of the plant in which pesticides and glue products were stored. Firefighters used foam to prevent it spreading to other areas of the factory, and the blaze was quickly brought under control.
Residents were told to stay indoors as a precaution. Anyone experiencing breathing problems has been advised to call an ambulance straight away.
Local man and blogger Dan Hughes was woken up by the fire. He wrote: “It was a huge fire, with big leaping flames giving of a massive plume of black noxious looking smoke. While I was looking there was a huge explosion that shook the ground.”
Kirklees Council said Castle Hill and Longley special schools are both closed all day, along with Nields, Linthwaite Ardron and Linthwaite Clough schools. Some other local schools were due to open, albeit an hour or two later than usual.
Manchester Road was closed in both directions. West Yorkshire Metro said that the 180, 181, 183, 184 and 185 bus services were either curtailed or suspended altogether because of the fire.
There’s more information from the Examiner here. You can read Dan Hughes’ blogpost about the fire here. Details of school closures are available from Kirklees Council here.
The picture at the top of this story was posted by Twitter user terrierandy7. His account is here, and his Flickr page is here.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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