01 Aug 2012
A massive blaze at a food factory near Plymouth is still being investigated in a bid to find out what caused it.
Three factories and offices on the Lee Mill Industrial Estate had to be evacuated after the fire started at the Forest Products factory on July 27.
The incident was attended by eight fire crews who set up a 200-metre exclusion zone on the industrial estate, fearing a number of gas cylinders were at risk of exploding.
Initial investigations suggest the blaze, which saw wood pallets and plastic drums damaged on land behind the building, was accidental but experts are still working at the scene to try and ascertain the exact cause.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment must be carried out at all commercial properties in England and Wales.
If this is deemed to have been conducted to an insufficient extent the responsible person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years imprisonment.
Copyright Press Association 2012