Leamington Spa fire: Fallen debris warning at industrial site

Large plumes of smoke were seen from an air ambulance

Residents near a huge fire at a plastics manufacturer are being warned not to touch or attempt to clear fallen debris.

One employee is still missing following the blaze at Leeson Polyurethanes Ltd in Leamington Spa on Friday, which caused explosions.

Warwickshire Police said it wanted to reassure residents the fallen debris would be removed.

A large plume of smoke from the site was visible for miles around.

The Warwickshire force said: "As a precautionary measure, please do not touch or attempt to clear debris in the meantime."

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said the air quality had been sampled and toxicity levels were "reasonable and non-harmful".

"People can access the area with caution," the service said, adding some road closures were still in place.

"A clean-up operation is under way and being carried out by local authorities," it said, maintaining advice was to not touch the debris.

The fire - which is predicted to burn for a few days - has been successfully brought under control, police said, with crews being able to "significantly reducing its ferocity."

Officers said its investigations are continuing and residents who had been evacuated have been able to return to their properties, with Public Health England advising them to open windows and ventilate their properties.

Supt Mike Smith from Warwickshire Police said: "Firefighters have worked tirelessly under extremely difficult conditions and have done a tremendous job in bringing this huge fire under control.

"It is hoped that things can begin to return to normality, however, the operation is expected to take a few days to reach a conclusion."

He said the one person unaccounted for remains missing, their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Charred bits of debris have fallen in the vicinity of the site

In a short statement published on its website, the company said it was cooperating fully following the "major incident at the premises".

Chief fire officer Barnaby Briggs, from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, told a press conference on Friday the explosions were caused by vats of chemicals catching fire.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing "small pops" like explosions and a strong chemical smell.

Residential properties are close to the Leamington Spa site

Ben Coleman told the BBC: "There's a bit of a smell... I heard small explosions - nothing too big, it was a few, like, pops.

"I could see a big dark cloud, and I thought it was a thunderstorm, then I looked to my right and saw a big plume of smoke coming up from the building."

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service was joined at the scene by colleagues from West Midlands Fire Service and other neighbouring crews.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said one ambulance, a paramedic officer and a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) also attended.