Fire at 2 Sisters’ factory: 10 fire engines called

By Michelle Perrett

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Fire Tesco

Norfolk Fire and Rescue
Norfolk Fire and Rescue
Ten fire engines were needed to fight a blaze at 2 Sisters Food Group’s factory in Thetford, Norfolk yesterday (Sunday, July 17), when 270 staff were evacuated from the building.

The fire saw crews from Thetford, Bury, Brandon, Diss and Attleborough attended the fire, just after the alarm was raised at 3.07pm.

The Norfolk Fire and Rescue told Foodmanufacture.co.uk that fire fighters put out the blaze after using breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera. Hose and jets were also used to put out the fire.

A fire investigation officer is at the factory looking into the cause of the fire. 

Burning smell reported

According to 2 Sisters, fire crews were called at around 3pm after a burning smell was reported by one of the staff.

A spokesman told FoodManufacture.co,uk: “Around 270 members of the team who were on site were evacuated quickly and everyone safely accounted for.

“We understand insulation in a roof void was found smouldering. The cause is being investigated.

“Fire crews successfully dealt with the problem and on-going production will remain unaffected.”

The food manufacturer confirmed the factory opened for production this morning (Monday, July 17) as normal.

Opened for production

The Thetford site opened in February 2011 and is the 2 Sisters’ breaded product centre of excellence.

It supplies customers including Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury, Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Nando’s. 

The range of products produced at the Thetford factory included: breaded chicken, such as kievs, burgers, nuggets, goujons, steaks and drumsticks and thighs in flavoured coatings.

The factory also produces ready to grill and cook marinated chicken.

According to 2 Sisters, the low-energy building is the flagship development within the group.

In December 2015, firefighters were called to a fire involving an industrial oven at the 2 Sisters RF Brookes factory in Azalea Road, Rogerstone in Wales.

The fire was extinguished by a suppression system over the oven. The Rogerstone site is one of the largest European food factories designed for producing chilled and frozen ready meals, according to 2 Sisters.

Related news

Show more

Related suppliers

Follow us

Featured Jobs

View more

Webinars

PRODUCTS & SERVICES