Emergency services respond after 'loud bang' heard

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.fireengineering.com/index/ar ... 98565.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TOM This EMERGENCY services surrounded the Brunel Industrial Estate yesterday morning after the explosion.

A police spokesman explained there were 14 officers and six PCSOs at the scene.

An ambulance spokesman said three ambulances were sent to the scene after the 999 call at 8.27am.

They added that one person was immediately taken to Torbay Hospital with burns.

He described the three other casualties as 'walking wounded' and they too were later taken to Torbay Hospital for further medical checks.

The fire brigade sent four engines -- two from Torquay and two from Newton Abbot -- as well as the Bronto aerial platform and a fire incident command vehicle from Totnes to tackle the blaze in one of the company's seven furnaces.

Fire group commander Robbie Woods was in charge of the firefighters who fought the blaze inside the factory where the explosive acetylene containers were contained.

Initially firefighters thought the cylinders may have been near the fire but Mr Woods explained that the owner had helped fire crews pinpoint the location of the explosive liquid gas before committing six fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus to control the three small fires inside the 100-metre-long building that runs along the rear of Newton Abbot train station.

Molten He said: "Fire investigations are still ongoing but it would appear that the fire started in the foundry area and there was a minor explosion of molten aluminum bronze from a rudder that was being melted down.

"That caused a spray from the molten metal across the factory floor, so the fire spread in two directions, resulting in three small fires."

Fire investigators stayed at the scene until lunchtime yesterday.

Mr Woods said the fire was quickly controlled and that fans were used to clear the smoke from the building, so the company could open up for trading as fast as possible.

A small area remained cordoned off for fire investigators to continue to examine.

He added: "It looked more dramatic than it was. At first it looked extremely dramatic, but once we were able to identify where the acetylene was, which was the main concern, we could commit crews to fight the fire."

Police critical incident manager for Newton Abbot Inspector Claire Armes said staff were safely evacuated from the property, and that a 300 metre cordon was set up around the scene of the fire, adding: "This was an excellent example of a multi agency response between ambulance, fire and the police."

And she praised neighbouring Royal Mail workers who made facilities and refreshments available for evacuated staff to rest in as well as providing a room and a phone for emergency services to use.

"Everyone really helped and supported us in doing what we needed to do," she added.