Herb factory blaze started in industrial dryer, firefighters confirm

Fire engines from across Suffolk and Norfolk were called out the Camstar Herbs factory in Chestnut Farm, Langton Green, at around 7.40pm on Monday.

Pictures taken from outside the property showed smoke billowing out from the building as crew members fought to bring the fire under control.

A total of 21 fire crews were called to the scene (Image: Clive Stevens)

Road closures were put in place shortly after fire engines arrived on the scene.

A 'stop' was called by the fire service at 1.20am, but crew members remained on scene until around 9am while an investigation of the factory took place.

Firefighters outside the herb factory in Eye (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has not confirmed the cause of the fire, but said it started in an industrial dryer used to prepare herbs.

The service revealed no injuries had been reported following the incident.

A spokesman said: "Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, along with colleagues from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, attended a fire at an industrial dryer unit in Eye yesterday evening.

Firefighters remained on scene until the early hours on Tuesday (Image: Clive Stevens)

"Over the course of the night, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and eventually extinguish it.

"The cause of the fire is currently unknown and an investigation will begin in due course.

"Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank colleagues from partner organisations, including the Environment Agency and the Police, for their assistance in dealing with this incident."

The incident sparked a huge emergency services response (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

Clive Stevens, who works in Eye, said: "My office is nearby and I was alerted by the sirens, then saw the smoke, so took a look.

"There were no flames, just plumes of smoke, maybe because the fire crews were already tending the scene by the time I got there.

"There were numerous hoses running along the road from hydrants and tenders were also driving into Eye to refill from hydrants there on other water mains."

Chris Gibbs, group manager at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "When the local crews got there, they rapidly realised it was a larger incident.

Fire crews remained on scene on Tuesday morning (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

"They have issues if they turn up and they struggle with water. There were some fire hydrants and ponds nearby.

"We had people working on each side of the building to tackle the fire. Because of the construction of the building, there was a risk of collapse at short notice.

"We felt we could tackle it mainly from the outside. We got it surrounded and contained very early on."