Huge factory fire at GKN in Lichfield was arson
A huge blaze at an old factory was started deliberately, it was revealed today.
Investigators said the arson attack was 'extremely concerning', after around 65 firefighters from 15 different fire stations tackled the blaze at the former GKN site at Crossfield Industrial Estate, Lichfield.
Staffordshire Police have now launched a probe, and it has been revealed that it is the fourth similar blaze in Staffordshire in a year.
The fire has involved a warehouse storing in the region of 5,000 tonnes of baled waste – of which approximately 10 per-cent was set alight.
Eight fire engines and a control support unit were sent to the incident. It happened on Tuesday evening at around 7.22pm.
Station manager Bob Preston said: “It is extremely concerning that this fire was caused deliberately and we will be working closely with Staffordshire Police as they carry out their investigations. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact them.
“These fires take up considerable time and resources. If so many of our firefighters are at these incidents they are not available to respond to other emergencies.
“It is also very disappointing to see another large fire involving illegal waste in Staffordshire. This is the fourth incident of its type in the last 12 months.
“We had already visited and risk assessed this site. Thanks to our planning work with partner agencies we were able to put our robust multi-agency plans into action and limiting the scale and impact the fire had on the surrounding community and transport network.
“We are still advising local people to keep windows and doors closed, due to the smoke, as a precaution.”
“There are still crews at the scene continuing work to put out the fire and we expect to have firefighters at the incident for the next few days.”
