A FIRE started at a chemicals factory in Knowsley early this morning.
Firefighters have said that the blaze may cause the whole area being evacuated.
Two crews from Kirkby Fire Station took on the fire at Contract Chemicals, on Knowsley Business Park, Prescot, around midnight after security guards raised the alarm.
The fire was in the manufacturing site’s main vent and piping which was caused by a faulty extractor fan.
A firefighter who was at the scene called the incident a “close call” and said the blaze could have led to a “cloudburst” operation – declared after major accidents like chemical leaks.
Under these tight guidelines, people are normally ordered to stay indoors, evacuated or exclusion zones set up.
One firefighter said: “We stopped the fire from moving to the main building and narrowly avoided a cloudburst situation, which could have led to the area being evacuated.
“It was a very close call because of all the chemicals in there.”
Contract Chemicals supply chemicals for the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, as well as detergents and fragrances.
Andy Bailey, Kirkby Fire Station, said: “Fortunately there was no need for a cloudburst situation. They had people on site and we dealt with it quite rapidly.”
