Man rescued from factory fire

A plastics worker is lucky to be alive after a large blaze broke out at a factory.

Up to 80 firefighters spent the night tackling the fire at a unit belonging to Oxford Plastics, near Enstone airfield, after being called to the scene just before 8pm yesterday, an Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.

Twelve fire appliances and specialist crews from across the county were called to the scene, where plumes of smoke from the blaze could be seen up to 12 miles away.

Group Manager Jason Crapper, from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue, who was at the factory throughout the night, said between eight and 12 people had been working in the building at the time.

He said one man had been pulled from the building by his colleague and described his rescue as "remarkable".

He said: "The chap forced his way through a wall to drag his colleague out.

"There was very acrid smoke. It could have been very dangerous. The chap who rescued him definitely saved his life."

Oxford plastic provides plastic products to improve safety at construction sites and road works, according to its website.

Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service and Scottish and Southern Electric have been at the scene helping the fire service.

The Environment Agency is also working with fire crews to try and minimise any pollution, Mr Crapper said.

He added: "Crews will be there for the rest of the day damping down hotspots and making sure everything is ok, as well as carrying out further investigations.

"The cause was linked to some welding that was going on at the time. What we need to know is why the fire spread as quickly as it did."

PA