Explosion at Leeds factory leads to evacuations

Fire and Ambulance crews on Haigh Park Road

Fire crews  were called to Haigh Park Road, Stourton at 12:05hrs. today after reports of an explosion at the premise of VC Industries where a dust extraction unit in a single storey building had exploded.

The building involved was approx 170m x 75m with the dust hopper being 10% involved. Crews on the scene used 1 Large jet, 3 small jets, 4 Hosereel jets, 1 Ground monitor and 4 Breathing apparatus sets.
Haigh Park Road was closed and surrounding buildings were cleared as firefighters dealt with the blaze. 

Surrounding buildings were cleared

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said that nobody was injured but there was a reasonable amount of damage to the premises.

The closure of Haigh Park Road, which was later reopened, led to congestion on the M621 and surrounding roads.

Morley fire crews at the scene

The cause of the explosion was under investigation and the Health and Safety Executive have been requested to visit the scene.

Appliances from Leeds, Gipton, Hunslet, Morley, Stanningley and Batley attended.