Tons of waste went up in smoke at teabag maker Tetley in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, at the weekend.
The fire on the Durham Lane Industrial Estate started at 6.55pm on Saturday in a silo used to store waste.
Firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to protect them from toxic smoke from waste pellets, a by-product of teabag making.
It was thought the fire was started when a heater covered with waste pellets was accidentally switched on.
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