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Leeds Firefighters Tackle Industrial Blaze

About 100 firefighters have battled a huge blaze at an industrial site which stored chemicals in Leeds.

The fire at Tradpak, a packaging and recycling firm in the Armley area, started shortly before 2am.

It led to a series of explosions and sent plumes of thick black smoke across the city.

Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs as the inferno engulfed two buildings in Albion Way.

One of the premises was used for storing chemicals and there were also LPG cylinders involved, according to the fire service.

Residents in the Albion Way area have been told to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution - although police confirmed the smoke was not toxic.

Police Superintendent Mabs Hussain said: "I want to reassure residents that everything has been done to get the fire under control, and minimise the effect on residents.

"We can also confirm that the smoke from the fire is not toxic.

"However as a precaution, we have continued to advise people near the site to keep doors and windows shut while the smoke has cleared, as we would do with any large fire."

Police also sealed off surrounding roads and evacuated a nearby nightclub due to safety concerns.

Emergency services remained at the scene on Monday afternoon as work continued to make the site safe.

Superintendent Hussain added: "The substantial operation at this site will continue for some time and police officers will begin to work with fire investigators to examine the cause of the blaze when the situation has been made safe."

Steve Beckley of West Yorkshire Fire Service told Sky News: "Firefighters worked extremely hard in the first couple of hours to prevent fire spreading.

"We saved around three major premises immediately surrounding where the fire was which is fantastic, but obviously there's significant damage to the two that were involved when we arrived.

"What we have got to do now is work our way into the seat of the fire, but we will certainly be here for the rest of the day."