Investigations are continuing into the cause of a blaze at a chemical firm.
The fire at Melbray Chemicals on Durham Lane Industrial Park, Eaglescliffe, saw hundreds of workers evacuated and roads closed as firefighters tackled the flames for two and a half hours.
The fire broke out just after 1pm yesterday in plastic storage containers containing chemicals which had been inspected just five minutes earlier.
There were no casualties involved and the main building was untouched but plumes of non-toxic smoke could be seen as far afield as Middlesbrough.
Staff were evacuated from surrounding businesses on the estate, including Tetley’s and Butterwick Hospice.
One of the managers at the site, Raymond Hannon, said employees returned to work this morning but were unable to use the yard where the fire took place.
He told the Gazette they were still unaware of the cause of the fire but added investigators from the fire service and the Environment Agency were continuing their inquiries.
Owner of the firm Brian Hannon said the fire “was a complete mystery” to all the staff at the Eaglescliffe firm, which supplies chemicals worldwide to the oil industry.
It started in a stack of plastic storage drums containing chemicals.
“Somehow this fire started, but it’s a complete mystery to us because two of us were in the yard five minutes before and there was no evidence of any fire,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “We have been on site today with other agencies. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
“The site has been isolated off until the scene has been made completely safe and the investigation has been completed.”
The Health and Safety Executive’s hazardous installation division has also been informed of the fire.
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