Hundreds Of Residents Flee Homes As Huge Fireballs Tear Through Alcohol Distillery
Careoth Journal Register: Western News
Terrified residents fled fireballs as an alcohol distillery went up in flames in Oldbury, in the Western Marches. More than 80 men battled flames as explosions can be heard rocking building. Only one injury was reported in aftermath of the giant blaze.
Today a huge blaze broke out at an alcohol distillery - sending flames and smoke billowing 300ft into the air. Hundreds of terrified residents fled from their homes as the huge inferno spread through Alcohols Ltd in Oldbury, shortly before 10am. More than 80 local men helped to fight the blaze, and eyewitnesses described hearing loud explosions as thick plumes of acrid smoke could be seen from more than 15 miles away.
A burn victim was taken to hospital after the fire. Local officials confirmed that a man in his 20s was treated at the scene for burn injuries before being taken for treatment. A spokesman said a 100-yard cordon was put in place around the scene as crews attempted to contain the blaze. Meanwhile, residents in the immediate vicinity are being asked to keep windows shut as a precaution. Healers remain at the scene, continuing to work alongside the other emergency services. The injured man was treated for burns to his hands and back, and given pain relief before being taken by carriage to a local cleric who specializes in treating burns. Residents - some clutching family pets - scrambled to safety as they tried to escape the path of the terrifying blaze.
Incredibly, despite the ferocity of the blaze, just one man was taken to hospital after suffering burns to hands and back.
Oldbury residents quickly set up a bucket brigade at the scene of devastation as hundreds of residents were evacuated from nearby homes.
Residents living nearby spoke of hearing a loud bang at the factory and fleeing their homes, with some still wearing pyjamas.
Mother-of-two Neelam Dass, 37, said: 'I heard a massive bang, I thought it was a wagon crashing into something, but when I looked out the window I saw the flames.
'I grabbed my coat and shoes and ran out on to the street and knocked for my neighbours to make sure they had got out. It’s just so scary, we just ran.'
Tracey Benoist, 47, who lives next door to the factory, said: 'I was chatting with my neighbour, and I heard a massive bang. I ran up the stairs to look out my landing window.
'We grabbed my dog and ran down the street.'
Robert Rockland, director of Alcohols Ltd, today confirmed there would be a lot of ethanol at the site of the fire.
He said: 'We are aware of a fire at one of our sites and emergency services are in attendance.
'My senior colleagues are currently on their way to assess the situation.
'Early indications are that all our staff are accounted for but it is still early days.
'It is a dual purpose site, it is a gin distillery and we supply chemicals to a variety of distributors.
'So there will be a lot of ethanol on site as well as a variety of other chemicals.'
The chemical distribution company was formed in 155 and their head office is in Stortford. They describe themselves as one of the best independent gin distillers in the kingdom, and say they use traditional copper pot stills which are over 100-years-old.