Meeting saves workers from factory blast

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

More than half of Afghanistan’s families live in extreme poverty

Leila is watching her baby intently, as his mouth moves trying to swallow the small blob of yellow p...

Time for a new approach to alcohol

Ambulances were called and three drunk teenagers were brought to my care. One was so drunk we had to...

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

Paul Volcker stands tall against the banking lobby

Why is Europe, which likes to present itself as an opponent of speculative "Anglo-Saxon" finance, li...

Workers at a rubber factory hit by an explosion had a lucky escape as they were at a meeting in another part of the building, the fire service said today.

One person suffered minor injuries in the blast which tore off huge metal panels and shattered the windows of nearby offices.



But there could have been many more casualties if staff had been at the factory end of the building when the explosion took place.



Emergency crews were called to the Slough Industrial Estate in Berkshire, made famous as the set of the Ricky Gervais TV comedy series The Office, shortly after 10am.



The "significant blast" at the Duco International Ltd building was heard miles away, including at the local fire station.



Workers at the building managed to escape while six fire crews raced to the scene to deal with the resulting blaze.



Nearby roads were closed off and staff from neighbouring offices were evacuated.



A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said one person suffered minor injuries, believed to have been caused by flying glass or debris.



Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Nicole Targett said: "It was quite an explosion. Metal panels were blown out across the road into the car park opposite and the force smashed windows of other premises nearby.



"All the people inside were at the other end of the building at a meeting when the explosion went off.



"If they had been at the factory end then it could have been a lot more serious and I am sure there would have been casualties.



"The sound of the explosion was heard for miles around. The factory processes rubber for industrial uses and there are chemicals on site but we don't know yet whether they were involved in the explosion."



A joint investigation into the cause of the blast is being carried by the fire service and police but there not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.



The Health and Safety Executive will also be investigating.



Two fire crews remained at the scene this afternoon damping down the damaged building.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

How an abortion divided America

How an abortion divided America

Single mother who took a pill to end her pregnancy is now fighting a landmark prosecution in a conservative state
Can you master a language in a weekend?

Can you master a language in a weekend?

Ed Cooke insists he can use his techniques as a memory expert to help novices learn even the hardest tongues.
The 10 best heaters

The 10 best heaters

From the DeLonghi Retro Fan Heater to the Dimplex MicroFire
Coming soon to a shelf near you: The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers

Coming soon to a shelf near you

The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers
Mad, bad and delightful to know: How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

As the poet takes centre stage in the West End, Boyd Tonkin looks into the life of the outspoken champion of the poor
Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

New digital novel will overturn centuries of literary tradition by allowing readers to choose how they would like story to end
How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

With London Fashion Week starting tomorrow, designers are closeted in studios putting finishing touches to their collections
James Lawton: Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past

James Lawton

Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past
How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

United have met Ajax only once before in Europe, in 1976. The key performers recall an electric occasion
Civil war at Ajax

Civil war at Ajax

A rift between two club legends has torn the Dutch giants apart
Lewis Moody: For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now

Lewis Moody column

For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now
Geoff Toovey: Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world

Geoff Toovey interview

Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world
Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'