Factory Inferno Rages on for Third Day in Belvedere
Firefighters Battle Blaze in Industrial Estate
Emergency crews are still at the scene of a massive factory fire on Church Manorway, Belvedere, now burning into its third relentless day. The fire erupted just before 9:50am on September 16, prompting a major response as firefighters battled to bring the inferno under control.
Cause Unknown as Homes Evacuated and Businesses Shut
The cause of the blaze remains a mystery with investigations ongoing. Nearby homes were evacuated as a safety precaution on Monday but residents have since been allowed to return. However, the crisis has forced several businesses within the industrial estate to close due to a strict safety cordon.
Safety Measures and Road Closures in Effect
- The A2016 Bronze Age Way route has reopened to traffic after temporary closure.
- Despite this, some local road closures remain as firefighters push on.
- The safety cordon, initially 500 metres, was reduced to 200 metres on September 17 as crews gained better control.
Officials say the cordon reduces risk to emergency workers and residents. Firefighters describe the situation as a “protracted incident” with operations expected to continue overnight.
What’s Burning? A Corkscrew Conveyor Belt
The blaze is believed to have started on a corkscrew conveyor belt inside the factory, which is used for recycling waste metal. Fire crews, together with the site operator and other agencies, have deployed specialist gear to cool the conveyor belt down to ambient temperature.
Access has been tricky due to where the equipment is located, but firefighters remain hard at work containing the blaze and ensuring the area is safe.
