Machinery fire breaks out at Rank Hovis flour mill

By Alice Foster

- Last updated on GMT

Rank Hovis flour mill was evacuated due to the fire
Rank Hovis flour mill was evacuated due to the fire

Related tags Manchester

Machinery caught fire at a Rank Hovis flour mill in Manchester, prompting an evacuation this week.

Firefighters used hose reels to fight the blaze at the flour mill in Elevator Road, Trafford Park, on Wednesday morning (October 7).

Five fire engines were called to the commercial building at 9.30am and the crews spent six hours at the scene, according to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.  

‘Fire involved machinery’

“The fire involved machinery on one of the floors and ducting on several floors of the building,” ​a fire service spokeswoman said.  

Rank Hovis deputy md Lawrence Watson said the fire engines arrived within minutes of employees raising the alarm.

Timeline of events

  • Employee spots smoke
  • Fire engines called at 9.30am
  • Firefighters spend six hours at the scene

“Following a report of smoke observed by one of the site personnel from the pellet press area yesterday morning, the Rank Hovis Manchester Mill was safely evacuated,” ​Watson said.

‘Absolutely minimal’ damage

“We believe that damage will be localised and absolutely minimal due to the immediate, automatic activation of the fire suppression system on site.

“Due to well-rehearsed contingency plans, our service continues without disruption.” 

Meanwhile, a factory making toffee apples​ for Halloween was burnt down in the West Midlands at the end of September.

A 14­-year­-old boy was also arrested in connection with a separate fire at a salad factory​ in North Yorkshire last month.

In August a fire ravaged a wholesale market​ in Birmingham and a powder explosion​ burnt a worker at a factory in Staffordshire.

Assessment of damage

“We believe that damage will be localised and absolutely minimal due to the immediate, automatic activation of the fire suppression system on site.​”

  • Lawrence Watson, deputy managing director at Rank Hovis 

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