Black smoke pours from industrial unit blaze

A large fire has broken out at an industrial unit in Letchworth Garden City, causing a big plume of black smoke.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it sent 10 engines to the "significant incident" on Jubilee Road just after 04:30 BST.

Andrew Beswick, who lives in Baldock, said he called 999 when he saw the blaze and claimed it had a bad smell.

Darren Cook, assistant chief fire officer, said: "We are now scaling back our response but will remain on site dealing with the fire, as well as providing support and fire safety advice to local businesses."

Mr Beswick said: "My wife heard the popping and exploding sounds even as far as Baldock. I was driving to Letchworth early and headed toward the smoke to raise the alarm and check, as it seemed to be getting bigger and no fire engines yet.

"It was lucky that the police car had passed by just before me and they saw it and they shut down Jubilee Road.

"The fire engines got there early which really made a difference, so hopefully they contained the damage."

Firefighters were tackling the flames from above on two aerial ladder platforms.

Residents had been urged to keep their windows and doors shut.

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