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Explosions reported at Suffolk airfield as fire breaks out next to runway

Thick plumes of dark smoke seen at Parham Airfield (James Mannall)
Thick plumes of dark smoke seen at Parham Airfield (James Mannall)

A huge fire has broken out at a site near an airfield in Suffolk.

Explosions have been reported at the scene of Parham Airfield and enormous clouds of dark smoke can be seen from miles away. Those nearby have been asked to keep doors and windows closed.

Local reports suggest the blaze involves hazardous materials.

Thirteen fire crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are currently at the scene on Silverlace Green.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: “Our crews are currently attending a fire at a premises near Parham Airfield.

“Due to the amount of smoke in the area, local residents and businesses are advised to keep doors and windows closed.”

A witness said she had “never seen a fire like it”.

“By the time I happened to be passing, just after 10am, the fire was absolutely blazing through the roof of what looked like an original Second World War building,“ she told East Anglican Daily Times.

“It looked like it had an asbestos roof and was very close to the control tower museum.

“There were two massive explosions and in one a flaming barrel flew high into the air.

“Someone from a nearby farm said there was apparently a large amount of resin stored in the building.”