Crews dampen down at fire scene

The fire destroyed the Skymark building

Firefighters spent hours damping down after a severe blaze at an industrial packaging factory which saw 170 people evacuated from their homes.

Transport was disrupted and roads and schools closed as a result of the fire at Skymark in Leominster, Herefordshire, on Wednesday.

No-one was hurt in the fire, which destroyed the factory.

Production director Paul Neath said he was hopeful it could be rebuilt in Southern Avenue or nearby.

He added the firm had more sites in the UK and production was being transferred there.

The fire was thought to have started accidentally in a printing press in the early hours. Between 80 and 90 firefighters attended the scene.

Witnesses said the thick smoke could be seen from "many miles away".

Residents were taken to a refuge centre set up at a sports centre and those outside the exclusion zone were advised to stay indoors and close all windows and doors.

Fire crews had been concerned about a chemical commonly used in vehicle paint stored at the site, which can cause asthma, and about reports of minor explosions.