Factory blaze now 'under control'

About 100 firefighters were called to the blaze [Picture by George Aitkenhead]

A blaze which engulfed a printer factory in Clackmannanshire has been brought under control by firefighters.

At its height, the fire at the Benkert's cigarette filter paper printer plant in Alva, required 100 firefighters to keep it under control.

The blaze has caused the temporary closure of Alva High School and the village's industrial estate.

Fire crews were forced to demolish a large stone wall in order to extinguish the flames from the plant.

Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service were first called to the factory about midday on Tuesday by an automatic fire alarm.

When they arrived they found the 70mx30m plant ablaze.

Tobacco industry

Throughout Wednesday about 30 firefighters remained at the scene to bring the blaze under control.

A spokeswoman for Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service said crews were now in the process of damping down and making sure the area was safe.

She added that crews were likely to remain at the scene well into Thursday.

The large scale of the operation has also resulted in neighbouring brigades in Fife and Strathclyde providing cover and assistance to local fire crews.

Throughout the operation, residents in Alva have been advised to stay indoors because fumes from the fire could cause mild irritation.

The fire has also resulted in businesses located within the industrial estate being decanted to the village's Cochrane Hall.

Business owners are due to meet Clackmannanshire Council later to discuss the impact of the fire on them.

Benkerts employs about 180 people at the site and exports paper for the tobacco industry, for use in products such as cigarettes, to more than 30 countries, according to the company's website.

Clackmannanshire Council said Alva Academy would reopen to pupils and staff on Thursday.