Factory fire (From The Northern Echo)

Factory fire

12:26am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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A FACTORY was safely evacuated tonight after a machine caught fire.

A spokesman for the Northumbria Fire and Rescue Service said four appliances were sent to TRW Valves Ltd in Rainhill Road, Stephenson Industrial Estate, Washington, after the fire was reported at 8.10pm.

The spokesman said: “Employees had tried to extinguish the blaze, before raising the alarm and evacuating the premises.

“The fire was extinguished by the factory's sprinkler system, but a fire crews remained on standby at the machine wearing full breathing apparatus and with a hose reel.

“Thermal imaging was then used to identify any hotspots.”

The spokesman added the factory, which manufactures automotive valves, had been moderately smoke damaged.

Fifty per cent of the machine involved in the fire had been damaged.

He added: “The fire is believed to have been caused when the machine was loaded incorrectly.

“The full extent of the damage is being assessed by the company.”

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