Yahoo News Kent residents told to keep their windows closed after blaze at Dartford coffee roastery
People living near a huge fire at a coffee factory in Kent have been warned to keep their windows closed as firefighters battled to get the blaze under control.
The fire broke out at UCC Coffee’s roastery in Dartford, Kent, at around 5.30am on Thursday.
As firefighters tackled flames on the ground floor of the large warehouse on the Riverside Industrial Estate off Central Road, staff and nearby residents were evacuated.
Kieran Down, who lives in a block of flats opposite the building with his partner Charlotte Farrugia and their six-week-old baby Penelope, described his terror as his rushed his family to safety.
The 29-year-old water company manager said: “I woke up this morning to head to work and heard a lot of noise outside. There is a lot of construction work on our road so our first thought was that they had started work early.
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“I headed outside and could feel the heat as soon as I stepped out the door. It was already fully ablaze. I could see orange flames and hear lots of crackling.
“I went back in straight away to tell my partner to get dressed and get our baby ready too. My first priority was to get my family to safety.
He said: “It was scary as there was lots of crackling. Being evacuated due to risk of explosion was quite terrifying.
“There were a lot of people being evacuated and a lot of spectators. There was panic and confusion.”
Residents and businesses have now been urged to keep their windows shut as thick smoke billowed across the town.
KFRS crews making progress with Dartford fire, working hard to prevent fire spread in the building and liaising with Kent Police to manage traffic. Neighbours are reminded to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke. #Dartford #centralroad more: https://t.co/9YTBOBJt83
— Kent Fire and Rescue Service (@kentfirerescue) October 11, 2018
A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said there were no reported casualties and crews were still at the scene working to stop the blaze from spreading.
They are still trying to work out what caused the fire.
A fire service spokeswoman said the building was roughly 40 square metres in size with around 50 residents were evacuated.
She added: “The alarm was initially raised by an employee inside the building, which was swiftly evacuated, and there are no reported casualties.”
