Fire crews tackle factory blaze

By Danielle Nuttall and Ted Jeory

FIREFIGHTERS battled last night to put out a blaze at a Bernard Matthews factory.

The blaze broke out in a deep fat fryer in the Bernard Matthews factory in Beccles Road, Holton, near Halesworth, shortly after 8.30pm.

Fire crews from Halesworth and Southwold initially attended the scene and called for assistance from Bungay. A further two fire engines were later sent to help the firefighting operation.

The blaze involved a deep fat frying range and fire crews used foam in an attempt to put out the flames.

It is not known how much of the single storey premises was damaged by the fire, but no-one was injured and the blaze was put out shortly after 10pm.

More than 30 firefighters also tackled a blaze that broke out yesterday at a grade II-listed pub renowned for having some of the best-kept beer in the country.

Crews from across north Essex were sent to The Plough in North Road, Great Clacton, after the pub caught fire at about 4pm.

Although there were no reports of any injuries or people trapped inside, police cordoned off the road as firefighters battled to contain the flames in the strong winds.

Mike Harvey, regional director of the Campaign for Real Ale, said the blaze at The Plough was a “tragedy”.

He added: “It was our local and just within walking distance from where my wife and I live.

“It's part of the community and I think the family that owns The Plough and the Queen's Head next door will find it very difficult to recover from this.

“The Plough is a superb little place with what I think is the best-kept IPA in Essex. It's a real drinkers' pub with a lovely little snug room with no music.”

An Essex fire service spokeswoman said the blaze was being treated as of suspicious origin and an investigation had been launched into its cause.

In a separate incident, firefighters tackled a blaze involving a caravanette and caravan that spread to a house.

The fire broke out in Canhams Road, Great Cornard, at 8.11pm yesterday and three fire engines from Nayland and Sudbury attended.

Firefighters discovered two vehicles alight in front of a house and fire on the ground and first floor of the property. Two gas cylinders were also involved in the fire, which was brought under control by 9pm.

Officers are treating the incident as suspicious and a fire investigations officer was called to examine the scene.

Firefighters were called at 6.47pm yesterday to a chimney fire in a bungalow next to the BP garage on the A12 at Stratford St Mary.

The petrol station was closed as a precaution, but later reopened after the fire was put out at 7.40pm.