Clouds of
black acrid smoke filled the air as more than 50 firefighters from three
counties tackled the blaze at the family-run Fields in Epworth. BLAZE
DRAMA DEVASTATES FIRM
A
major emergency operation swung into action as a massive blaze ripped through an
Isle of Axholme joinery business.
Clouds of
black acrid smoke filled the air as more than 50 firefighters from three
counties tackled the blaze at the family-run Fields in Epworth.
Workers came
back from a morning break when smoke was spotted coming from a machine.
Within
seconds a huge fireball exploded and burned all the way along the premises.
Terrified
workers ran out, pursued by the fireball.
One worker
said: "There was an explosion. Fire raced along the ceiling and as I ran
out it overtook me."
As
firefighters fought to stop the blaze spreading, drums containing lacquer
exploded inside the Station Road premises.
At
one point owner Toni Dalla-Riva's 10-year-old daughter and her grandmother were
stranded in the family home behind the blazing building.
All
the 27-strong workforce escaped from the blaze.
Devastated,
they stood outside, many in tears. They are now scared for the future, uncertain
about their jobs.
Some
saw their cars parked outside the building destroyed by the fire.
Fields
houses a large quantity of equipment. A £300,000 computerized machine was
destroyed in the blaze.
Among
other items Fields makes fire doors. It also had a contract to make doors for
the new Tate Gallery. That work has now been destroyed.
At
the scene, owner and managing director Mr. Dalla-Riva said: "We are not
quite sure what has happened. I was not on the premises at the time although I
was only a short way away.
"Someone
alerted me on my mobile. It was a shock and I was devastated."
He
continued: "The main thing is everyone is out and OK."
He
added: "We are insured, we will rebuild and we will re-equip as soon as
possible and go from strength to strength."
"It
is one big family. I am just gutted at the moment. It is early days yet but we
will rebuild."
The
fire broke out around 9.45am yesterday. The whole town was brought to a
standstill.
Firefighters
from around north Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire attended.
Around 12.30pm the Notts and South Yorks brigades left.
At
the height of the blaze, smoke could be seen for miles around.
Police had been informed of the blaze and warned motorists to drive carefully along the A161 due to the smoke blowing across the road.
