Firefighters tackle toxic smoke plume in Leominster

Environment Agency officers are working alongside the emergency services at Skymark Packaging in Leominster after a major fire broke out at the company's site this morning.

Chemicals at the factory are reportedly mixing in the heat, causing toxic smoke.

Environment Agency representatives are working to ensure that water used to fight the fire does not make its way into the general drainage system. Drains lead directly to the River Lugg and water quality could be severely affected if nothing is done.

A 400-metre exclusion zone has been established around the site and local residents have been urged to keep their windows and doors shut.

Commenting on the incident, a spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "Our priority now is to monitor the local air quality and track the smoke plume so we can assist the emergency services with any action they need to take."

In related news, a cokeworks in County Durham has been fined £12,500 for polluting a beck with red diesel.

Written by Claire Manning