Firefighters tackle fire at Middlewich chemical plant

Described as a ‘major’ fire, the incident at BIP Organics on Brooks Lane in Middlewhich was first reported at around 8.30pm last night, Monday.

And it was only extinguished at around 6.30am this morning, Tuesday, where two fire engines remain at the scene monitoring the site and a road closure is in place.

The fire involved several palletised barrels of industrial waste products and saw 12 fire engines in attendance along with an aerial ladder platform, a scorpion turret, an environmental protection unit and a high volume pump.

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The blaze was split into sectors by firefighters to tackle and a high volume pump was placed by a nearby canal to draw large quantities of water onto the blaze.

At the time residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed – and this advice remains in place as a precaution as a smell of chemicals is still reported in the area.

No casualties were reported.

An update at 6.30am this morning revealed the fire has been extinguished, but Brooks Lane remains closed.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “A limited cordon remains in place around Road Beta and there is currently no through route on Brooks Lane.

“Due to their proximity to the incident residents on Brooks Lane are advised to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution.”

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "Although the fire in Brooks Lane, Middlewich, is now out, there is a smell of chemicals in the area as a result of the incident and reduced road closures remain in place.

"People are advised to avoid the area this morning.