Firefighters remain at the scene of a factory fire on Church Manorway, Belvedere, as efforts continue into the third day. The fire, which broke out just before 9:50 am on September 16, has required extensive work from emergency crews to bring the situation under control.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing to determine how the blaze started. Some homes near the factory were evacuated as a precaution on Monday.
However, residents have now been allowed to return. Several nearby businesses within the industrial estate have been forced to close due to the ongoing safety cordon.
The A2016 Bronze Age Way, a major route in the area, has reopened to traffic. Despite this, some local road closures remain in effect as firefighters continue their work. Initially set at 500 metres, the safety cordon has been reduced to 200 metres as crews gain more control over the fire.
This was implemented on September 17 to ensure the safety of both emergency personnel and local residents. Firefighters have described this as a “protracted incident,” and work is expected to continue through the night. Crews are working diligently to ensure the fire is completely extinguished and the area is safe.
The fire is believed to have involved a corkscrew conveyor belt that caught alight. Fire crews, alongside the site operator and other agencies, have been using specialist equipment to reduce the conveyor belt to the building’s ambient temperature.
The location of the equipment has posed challenges, limiting access for the firefighters. Fire crews remain active at Church Manorway, working tirelessly to contain and control the blaze.
