Stunned employees fear their lives may be 'up in the air' after major fire at Willenhall food factory

Workers from Midland Food Group, on Stringes Lane, gathered opposite the unit where a blaze started in the early hours of the morning.

Aerial images from the scene show the roof has been wrecked by the flames, with around 60 per cent of the site having been destroyed.

Among those opposite the site was pastry worker David Richardson, 65, who lives in nearby Slater Street.

Mr Richardson said: "My missus was looking out the window and saw a lot of black smoke, but she thought it was the wood factory further up the road. She opened the door and said that it was my workplace on fire. I was in shock.

"I haven't got a job now, but I'm due to retire in March. I more worried about my younger colleagues who have got young families.

"I came out straight-away at about 12.30. There was a lot of black smoke and there were about 19 fire trucks parked up in Stringes Lane and the side roads."

Along with emergency service staff and vehicles, water, gas and electricity engineers were at the scene to assist as well as several goods lorries which were arriving to make deliveries to the burnt out factory.

Householder Debbie Knowles, 58, of nearby Gough Street said: "I had just gone upp to bed when I heard what sounded like fireworks which didn't stop. I thought it didn't sound right. then I looked out the window and noticed that a fire had started at one end of the factory and it just got bigger and bigger.

"Quite a few residents were out taking videos and it went on for quite a long time. The flames spread all the way across down towards the back of St Anne's Road.

"It is worrying when you think about it. How could a fire like that start?

"And the fact that it was only up the road from our houses. It was going for about three hours non-stop with fireworks exploding. At first ti thought it was some sort of celebration, but it sounded manic.

"A lot of fire engines turned up. There was horrendous thick black smoke."

Short Heath Junior School, in Pennine Way, Lodge Farm, posted on Twitter: " Due to significant events around our schools, and roads being closed, we have taken the decision to close our schools today. As we know more we will let you know."

Also closed is Lane Head Nursery, in High Road, and Rosedale CE Infants School, in Stroud Avenue, in Short Heath.

Italian-owned Midland Food Group has another depot in Basingstoke. Around 100 work at the Willenhall meat processing plant which also made pies and sausage rolls, and included a food distribution unit at the site.