Future uncertain for food factory workers after blaze

The jobs of around 200 employees at a food preparation factory in South Yorkshire are currently under threat following a blaze on the premises which destroyed the building in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

It took over 30 firefighters to tackle the huge fire at Dearne Valley Foods in Thurnscoe, close to Doncaster, after a food fryer was thought to have set alight causing flames to spread to the roof of the factory.

Fire crews from Adwick and Dearne, with support from other stations, worked tirelessly to contain the fire as it was moving towards a couple of 10,000-litre oil containers.

The shift workers on duty at 12.15am, the time of the fire, were safely evacuated from the burning building.
A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said:

“At the height of the fire, eight fire engines were at the scene along with an aerial ladder platform, and local residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed due to the amount of smoke in the area.

“Firefighters managed to create a fire break to stop the blaze spreading to the firm’s offices, and also protected a number of oil tanks and several caravans nearby.

“Two fire engines remained at the scene on Tuesday morning, damping down.”

According to the fire service, the factory suffered 80% damage and a spokesman for Dearne Valley Foods said:

“Today we have spoken to employees, customers and suppliers.

“We are currently assessing the damage caused by the fire. We will brief our employees first when we know how we plan to move forward from here.”

A full investigation is now underway into the blaze.