Factory boss says sorry after Oldbury blaze
The boss of a Black Country alcohol factory which burst into flames, forcing residents to flee for their lives and damaging homes and cars, has apologised for the accident.
Managing director of Alcohol Ltd, Adam Wallis, has spoken for the first time since the fire ripped through the Crosswells Road factory on Monday, not only destroying the buildings, but a number of cars, and damaging nearby homes. One of the 15 workers at the Oldbury site suffered burns during the blaze, and is currently being treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Sixteen homes were left uninhabitable by the fire, and the occupants have been offered accommodation at a nearby hotel while repair work is carried out.
Mr Wallis said he met with residents yesterday afternoon to talk to them about what had happened.
He said : "We are extremely sorry for the accident. But we have to work with the council, HSE and fire service to help them with the investigation, before we can comment further."
He added: "We are working with the council on the clean up. We want those who have been displaced to get back to their homes, in the safe and warm."
Chemicals
Mr Wallis said the fire started in the filling area of the factory, but was unable to comment further on what had happened.
Mr Wallis said: "During the fire, we were at the site giving the fire service the professional guidance about the chemicals on site, to help them put out the fire."
Mr Wallis insists that all the relevant health and safety procedures were in place and that the fire alarms were activated when the blaze started.
He said: "We are taking the lead from the health and safety executive at the moment."
Bosses at the firm are currently in discussions with their liability insurers, and say it is too early to say whether any compensation would be paid to residents.
