Swadlincote 'firenado' factory blaze investigation begins
- Published
'Firenado' develops from plastic pallets blaze near Swadlincote
An investigation has begun into the cause of a factory blaze which resulted in a "firenado" - or fire whirl - forming.
Thick black smoke from thousands of plastic pallets could be seen across the East Midlands after the fire at Ravensbourn Plastics Ltd, in Occupation Lane, Albert Village, Swadlincote.
No-one was injured in the blaze, which started at about 01:20 BST on Tuesday.
Derbyshire's police and fire services have launched a joint investigation.
The fire service said the "firenado" was created by "cool air entering the top of the hot air causing a swirl similar to how a tornado is formed".
Ten fire crews tackled the blaze at Ravensbourn Plastics Ltd
At about 15:00 on Tuesday, firefighters started damping down the fire and appliances began to leave.
Crews returned to the scene on Wednesday morning to cool hotspots and help with the clear-up.
The fire involved approximately 10,000 sq metres of stacked plastic pallets at the factory, which makes plastic crates for supermarkets.
The black smoke could be seen in Shepshed in Leicestershire and Nottingham city centre.
The fire began at about 01:20 BST on Tuesday
The black smoke seen in Blackfordby filled the sky across the East Midlands
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- Published7 August 2018
