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Plastic factory suffers 'extensive damage' in fire

News imageJS 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.JS Drone Photography
Fourteen fire crews were sent to the blaze in Beccles, Suffolk, on Monday

Three business units have suffered "extensive damage" after a fire broke out at a plastic packaging factory.

Flames ripped through the 40x90m (131x295ft) M&H Plastics warehouse in Beccles, Suffolk, and spread to neighbouring businesses on Monday afternoon.

Fourteen crews were sent to London Road from 12:52 BST. It was under control by 23:00 and six crews remained on site on Tuesday morning to deal with any hotspots.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said the affected buildings were "unstable" and urged people to avoid the area.

News imageSuffolk Fire & Rescue Service Three firefighters holding long hoses as they enter a back door at the large industrial site, which has been badly damaged. Its roof appears to have melted in part.Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service
Three business units have been badly damaged by the fire

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke billowing into the sky from miles away as the incident unfolded.

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

Police were also at the scene to manage traffic, as well as paramedics to ensure the welfare of firefighters.

The fire has completely destroyed one industrial unit at the site, severely damaged another, while a third has suffered moderate damage, the fire service said.

News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC A drone image where smoke can be seen billowing out of an industrial unit. Fire engines are parked around the industrial site while a large aerial unit can be seen with a large hose directing water on to a fire.John Fairhall/BBC
Fire crews made use of an aerial ladder to tackle the blaze

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

A man who worked nearby 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.

News imageLuke Deal/BBC A corrugated metal panel of a warehouse with a large hole in it. Part of the dark coloured metal has white and grey fire damage. There is the top of a white Suffolk Fire & Rescue gazebo and two flag poles. Luke Deal/BBC
One unit was completely destroyed and two others were damaged
News imageLuke Deal/BBC A firefighter stands beside a road where in the distance there has been a factor fire. He wears a bright yellow hi-vis jacket and he is bald.Luke Deal/BBC
Incident commander Rob Green said the heat from the fire had been "quite significant"

The fire service's incident commander Rob Green said the cause of the fire was still unknown, but an investigation had started.

"That investigation will continue today and will continue until we are satisfied that we've determined the cause, and a report will be written and produced," he said.

He added that the M&H Plastics staff had been supporting the fire service with its investigations and were "looking to get back into business as soon as possible".

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