THOUSANDS of pounds worth of stock was destroyed in a fire at a local factory.
Police were forced to close Rochdale Old Road at Birtle for several hours on Monday afternoon as a team of 25 firefighters tackled the massive blaze at Melba Products' Tack Lea Works. The company manufactures plastic traffic cones and barriers and trades around the world.
The fire involved a stack of around 100 pallets laden with thousands of plastic products. A thick black plume of toxic smoke could be seen for miles around and hampered drivers' visibility along Rochdale Old Road, prompting its temporary closure. Ambulances going to Fairfield General Hospital from Rochdale were redirected through Heywood.
Five fire crews from Bury, Rochdale and Heywood were called to the factory at 12.20pm and managed to prevent the flames spreading to adjoining buildings which contained production equipment.
The fire was brought under control quickly although firefighters remained at the scene damping down throughout the afternoon and evening.
An investigation has been launched into the cause.
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