sws4420
04-20-2005, 07:25 AM
A roll of toilet paper the size of a car caught fire at a factory yesterday, in a blaze which took more than eight hours to put out.
More than 50 firefighters and 16 fire engines were called to the blaze at SCA Hygiene in Princess Way, Prudhoe, Northumberland.
The fire started in the factory's pulp yard, which contained dozens of giant rolls of toilet paper, just after 3pm on Saturday.
No-one was injured and production at the factory - at the centre of a controversial planning application - resumed on Saturday evening.
Hexham fire station officer John Arnold said the absorbency and size of the rolls of toilet paper had complicated the firefighting operation.
Rolls of paper which were not alight absorbed a lot of the water, taking it away from the heart of the blaze.
Station officer Arnold said: "The fire was not as serious as the number of personnel involved and the time taken might suggest.
"The fire was under control within the first hour.
"It was then a case of breaking up the rolls, which were the size of a car, and damping them down.
"This was difficult at first because the rolls were absorbing the water.
"It is important to say no-one was ever in any danger and there was no environmental damage done."
He said it looked as though the fire had started accidentally - triggered by a forklift truck scraping the ground and igniting a spark, or by something in the production system.
"Either way, it has never happened at this factory before and is unlikely to happen again.
"This was a freak accident, a one-off," he said.
SCA is an international paper company which produces and sells hygiene products.
A spokesman last night said: "The fire took place in the pulp storage area which stores raw materials for use in the manufacturing process.
"We are pleased to confirm that no people were hurt and the fire was quickly and effectively dealt with by Northumberland and Tyne and Wear fire brigades, with support from the internal fire crew. There has been minimal damage to the pulp storage building and a small amount of damage to raw material.
"The cause of the fire is as yet unknown."
SCA Hygiene has applied to Tynedale Council for planning permission to extend their Prudhoe factory.
More than 1,200 people have objected to the proposed 40metre extension, which would be twice as high as the Angel of the North.
Planners are due to meet on Wednesday to decide whether to give the extension the go-ahead.
http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/thejournal/tm_objectid=15414225&method=full&siteid=50081&headline=giant-toilet-roll-starts-factory-fire-name_page.html
More than 50 firefighters and 16 fire engines were called to the blaze at SCA Hygiene in Princess Way, Prudhoe, Northumberland.
The fire started in the factory's pulp yard, which contained dozens of giant rolls of toilet paper, just after 3pm on Saturday.
No-one was injured and production at the factory - at the centre of a controversial planning application - resumed on Saturday evening.
Hexham fire station officer John Arnold said the absorbency and size of the rolls of toilet paper had complicated the firefighting operation.
Rolls of paper which were not alight absorbed a lot of the water, taking it away from the heart of the blaze.
Station officer Arnold said: "The fire was not as serious as the number of personnel involved and the time taken might suggest.
"The fire was under control within the first hour.
"It was then a case of breaking up the rolls, which were the size of a car, and damping them down.
"This was difficult at first because the rolls were absorbing the water.
"It is important to say no-one was ever in any danger and there was no environmental damage done."
He said it looked as though the fire had started accidentally - triggered by a forklift truck scraping the ground and igniting a spark, or by something in the production system.
"Either way, it has never happened at this factory before and is unlikely to happen again.
"This was a freak accident, a one-off," he said.
SCA is an international paper company which produces and sells hygiene products.
A spokesman last night said: "The fire took place in the pulp storage area which stores raw materials for use in the manufacturing process.
"We are pleased to confirm that no people were hurt and the fire was quickly and effectively dealt with by Northumberland and Tyne and Wear fire brigades, with support from the internal fire crew. There has been minimal damage to the pulp storage building and a small amount of damage to raw material.
"The cause of the fire is as yet unknown."
SCA Hygiene has applied to Tynedale Council for planning permission to extend their Prudhoe factory.
More than 1,200 people have objected to the proposed 40metre extension, which would be twice as high as the Angel of the North.
Planners are due to meet on Wednesday to decide whether to give the extension the go-ahead.
http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/thejournal/tm_objectid=15414225&method=full&siteid=50081&headline=giant-toilet-roll-starts-factory-fire-name_page.html