Fire crews fight bottle factory blaze

FIREFIGHTERS had to contend with molten glass after a fire broke out at a South Yorkshire bottle factory.

Crews were still battling the flames yesterday afternoon after they were called to Ardargh Glass in Monk Bretton, Barnsley at 10.30pm on Sunday.

Seven engines were at the scene in Burton Road overnight and around 50 firefighters were battling the flames at the height of the blaze, which was out by 1.10pm yesterday.

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The fire is understood to have started after a fault developed in a furnace, causing molten glass to spill out and flood into an electrical switch room.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said nobody was injured and no evacuations were necessary.

An investigation into the cause of the fire was due to begin yesterday after it was put out.

Ardargh Glass, which makes bottles for some of the world’s biggest drinks brands including Coca-Cola, also has factories in Doncaster and Knottingley.

Workers had been due to strike at all three sites this weekend over a pay dispute but it was called off at the last minute after an improved offer from the company.