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Worker injured in huge Chorley blaze
A worker is believed to have suffered severe burns attempting to tackle a large scale blaze at a Chorley salvage yard.
Thick plumes of smoke could be seen over Coppull yesterday when a blaze broke out at JM Reclamation breakers yard, off Blainscough Lane, at around 10.30am.
Seven crews were drafted in to battle the blaze and residents and workers were evacuated from nearby homes and businesses.
A 200m exclusion zone was created and Blainscough Lane was closed for much of the day after the fire spread causing a number of volatile gas cylinders to explode.
One worker from the yard is believed to have suffered extensive injuries attempting to tackle the flames. They were rushed to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.
Speaking from the scene yesterday, John Taylor, of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are still investigating the cause of the fire but it is believed that the person injured was hurt trying to tackle the fire.
"It is an ongoing incident and could take up to 24 hours to bring fully under control. The danger we have is that the fire has spread to some acetylene cylinders and they can become volatile quite easily."
Eyewitnesses said a large plume of black cloud smoke over the village could be seen from 'miles around.'
Traffic was backup up along Preston Road most of the day as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
Resident Shiela Moon, 68, from Preston Road, said: "We noticed a big cloud of black smoke when we were driving home.
"The traffic was building up and when we finally got back to the house that's when we heard a loud bang.
"We now know it was an explosion from the yard. It was quite scary and I hope the person injured makes a full recovery."
In addition to one jet, fire crews used an aerial ladder platform and a mobile fire station to bring to blaze under control.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's hazardous materials unit was also drafted in to help with the operation.
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Weather for Chorley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
