Mayor wants Shrewsbury factory fire assurance
A town mayor has called for assurances after residents were told to keep windows shut following a blaze at a factory site.
Councillor Ioan Jones, who represents the Harlescott ward in Shrewsbury, said people were still concerned following a fire at Spel Products on Tuesday.
Householders living nearby were told to keep their windows closed because the possibility fibreglass particles and chemicals could be in the air. The factory was evacuated as firefighters tackled the blaze.
Councillor Jones, Mayor of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "I have concerns about what came out of the site.
"I fully appreciate the employment in the area, which is excellent, but the question is – is it the right type of process to be carried out so close to a densely populated area?
"I think reassurance needs to be given to residents from the company, and for environmental experts to reassure people what has come out of the site is safe."
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the fire along with its environmental protection unit as a precautionary measure.
The service said there was no risk to the environment from the fire, which was located in the winding room of the premises.
Spel Products provides products and systems for the storage, attenuation, monitoring, treatment and utilisation of surface water. The firm was ordered to pay almost £30,000 in fines and costs in February by Shrewsbury magistrates after a 45-gallon steel drum was blown apart following an explosion. Spel Products was told the blast could have killed or seriously injured workers. Councillor Jones said: "People will be worried about it after being told to keep their windows and doors closed.
"They are going to be asking questions about what is going on."
Shropshire Council said its environmental health team was not involved.
Spel Products was not available for comment.
