Chemical fire residents go home

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Up to 90 firefighters tackled the blaze

About 170 people evacuated from their homes after a severe fire at an industrial packaging factory have been allowed to return.

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the fire at Skymark in Leominster, Herefordshire, containing chemicals kept at the plant.

Minor explosions were also reported and roads and schools were closed.

Officials monitoring the plume said later it did not contain anything "prejudicial" to people's health.

Dr Akeem Ali, director of public health for Herefordshire, told BBC News that although residents are allowed to go home, they should still keep their doors and windows shut.

Fire crews will remain at the site overnight and on Thursday

No one was injured in the the fire in Southern Avenue, which is thought to have started accidentally in a printing press in the early hours of Wednesday.

It is understood some 50,000 litres of chemicals together with a number of butane gas cylinders were at the plant, which stores paints and plastics.

Crews were most concerned about a chemical commonly used in vehicle paint and which can cause asthma.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said the thick smoke could be seen from "many miles away".

Between 80 and 90 firefighters attended the scene after crews were called at about 0330 BST.

Residents were taken to a refuge centre set up at Bridge Street Sports Centre and those outside the 400m exclusion zone were advised to stay indoors and close all windows and doors.

Rail services affected

Paul Neath, production director at the firm, told BBC News that there were about 60 workers on the night shift at the time and some tried to extinguish the fire but it spread to the roof of the factory.

Some members of staff there at the time were also retained firefighters, he said.

The finished goods warehouse, about 100 metres away from the main facility, is the only area of the site that is not damaged, he added.

Disruption due to the fire spread across bus and rail services.

The A49 was shut between the north roundabout, by the Fina petrol station, and the Worcester Road roundabout as well as numerous roads in and around the town.

The Met Office advised the fire service about wind speed and direction

Trains were unable to call at Leominster railway station and the severity of the fire meant no replacement road transport could be laid on.

Almost 100 children had to miss GCSE and A-level exams at the schools which were closed by the incident - Minster College, Leominster Infants, Leominster Junior, Westfield Special and The Priory Pupil Referral.

Some medical appointments at Leominster Community Hospital were also postponed.

In a joint statement, health officials and Herefordshire Council said residents could be reassured that that there had been "no long-term health risk" from the fire.

They praised the "public spirited nature" of those people taken to the refuge centre who "pulled together and supported each other, with many volunteering to help prepare food".

Schools are due to open as normal on Thursday while fire crews will remain at the scene overnight to damp down.