Fourteen crews tackling fire at plastic factory

54 minutes ago

News image — Fire crews from Lowestoft South, Lowestoft North, Wrentham, Beccles, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Newmarket, Haverhill, Leiston, Ixworth, Orford, Eye and Ipswich East were at the scene

JS Drone Photography An aerial drone image of flames and thick black plumes of smoke billowing from an industrial site surrounded by green fields and large warehouses. — Fire crews from Lowestoft South, Lowestoft North, Wrentham, Beccles, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Newmarket, Haverhill, Leiston, Ixworth, Orford, Eye and Ipswich East were at the scene

Fourteen fire crews are tackling a blaze at a plastic packaging factory.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to M&H Plastics on London Road in Beccles at 12:52 BST.

A spokesperson for the fire service said the unit, measuring 40x90m (131x295ft), was fully alight, and the fire was spreading to the next unit.

Crews are being supported by colleagues from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, while firefighters in Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire have also been made aware of the ongoing incident.

Roger Smith Thick black smoke billows across the sky behind an aerodrome. In the foreground is a grass lawn. There are clouds above. — Suffolk firefighters have been tackling flames near Beccles that could be seen from the nearby aerodrome

Eyewitnesses have reported seeing thick smoke billowing into the air from miles away and those who live or work nearby have been urged to keep all doors and windows closed.

The fire service said it had informed the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) "as a precaution", as well as UK Power Networks and the Environment Agency.

Police are also on the scene to manage traffic, as well as paramedics to ensure the welfare of firefighters. No roads have been closed.

A spokesperson for the Suffolk fire service said their Norfolk colleagues were providing a third water carrier from Hethersett near Norwich, and a "high-volume" pump had also been requested.

Josh Sturman, who lives close to the industrial estate, said the amount of smoke billowing into the sky was "scary" to see.

"I just couldn't believe what I was seeing, the flames, the amount of black smoke and how far the smoke was travelling," he said.

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