Paragon press hall hit by blaze

Fire crews were called to the scene just before midnight on Wednesday night by staff working in the factory at the time.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Doc Holliday said around 100 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the fire.

"Crews were at the site within seven minutes and the fire was already breaking through the roof. Although Paragon Labels was not by law required to fit sprinklers in the building, if they had been installed, the damage would have been greatly reduced," he added.

No-one was injured and approximately 30 staff were evacuated safely.

Paragon Labels group marketing manager Richard Smith said the firm's management team was on-site within 30 minutes of the fire starting and with colleagues put into operation disaster recovery procedures that "worked very well".

"We don't know yet what caused the fire, but we think it started in the distribution bay and spread to the press hall, destroying our self-adhesive label presses. No finished goods or raw materials were in the area," said Smith.

The firm relocated operations from Benner Road to its second facility in Spalding, plus factories in Wisbech, Boston and Thetford, where it has compatible presses.

Data systems were unaffected and the firm's artwork facility was salvaged.

Paragon Labels was established in 1994 and now has eight manufacturing sites across the UK. It produces self-adhesive labels and food packaging, including flexible films, food sleeves and cartons.

Turnover in 2006 was £103.4m.

Picture credit: Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue

Popular Articles