Sweet factory is ravaged by fire

Eyewitnesses said the flames reached 100ft high during the blaze

More than 70 firefighters have tackled a major blaze at a sweet factory in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

They were called to the fire at the Trebor Bassett site on Ferrybridge Road shortly after 2030 BST. It is thought to have begun in a popcorn machine.

Crews were drafted in from across West Yorkshire to deal with the blaze.

A West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesman said there were no reported injuries and no employees had been working in the factory at the time.

He added: "The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it is suspected that the popcorn machinery may have been to blame.

100ft flames

"There is a substantial amount of damage to the single-storey building and several crews will remain there overnight to dampen down the area."

The fire was brought under control at 2300BST.

The blaze was confined to the factory, which is based in the industrial estate in Monkhill Works, Ferrybridge Road.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC the flames were around 100ft high.

The company, which has been based in the town for around 80 years, is one of the biggest employers in the area.