A factory in Norfolk which produces frozen potato products has been severely damaged in a blaze that took more than 90 firefighters to tackle.
Crews were called to a well developed fire in an industrial fat fryer at the 100m x 100m factory in Worstead, near North Walsham, shortly after 6pm on Friday 6 May.
An aerial attack on the fire using foam was made. Crews in breathing apparatus also used main and hose reel jets, and ground monitors were deployed.
After apparently containing the fire, it flared up again just after midnight.
David Ashworth, group manager at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said that crews had faced a very difficult job because of the sandwich panel construction of the building.
The fire had spread to the polyurethane foam core of the panels, so was deep seated and extremely hard to access, said Mr Ashworth. He praised the skill and tenacity of firefighters throughout the incident and said Heinz staff had been very co-operative and supportive.
Relief crews were deployed throughout the night, with the final crew leaving at midday on Saturday.
A spokesperson from Heinz told info4fire:
“Last Friday evening we experienced a major fire at our Westwick factory where we produce Aunt Bessie’s frozen potato products…The site was safely evacuated and no one was hurt or injured. The fire, which was largely confined to one production area, was put out by the fire services.
“Safety is always of paramount concern to Heinz and production of Aunt Bessie’s frozen potato products will not resume until a full assessment can be made of the incident.”
