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Massive factory blaze in Northamptonshire - arsonists strike again
Forty firefighters tackled a major blaze after another disused factory was hit by arsonists – the second within a week.
People living in Burton Latimer watched as 20ft flames shot into the air during the fire in Pioneer Avenue.
Surrounding roads had to be closed to allow crews to tackle the flames.
Although no-one was evacuated on Saturday, crowds of residents gathered outside in fear of what might happen.
Two crews from Kettering fire station, one from Burton Latimer, one from Rothwell and other specialist emergency vehicles were called to the old IM Kelly Factory at about 9.40pm on Saturday.
It was the second fire at a disused factory in north Northamptonshire in the past week.
Last Monday six homes had to be evacuated during the blaze at the former Johnson Haynes Press Knives building in Shirley Road, Rushden.
Bob Lilly, 63 of Pioneer Avenue, had just arrived home when the fire broke out.
He said:"We came back home at about 9.10pm and the next thing we knew, our neighbour called us and said the factory is on fire. When we went outside we saw it was blazing. The flames were about 20ft high.
"I am angry because it is right next to a residential area and it could have spread.
"We were just surprised it hadn't happened before. With an empty building you have to expect it."
Another resident said: "We were just going to sleep when it happened. The whole street was up and people were knocking on each other's doors. Someone said the factory used to have gas cylinders so we just got our son and got out.
"It was a bit scary because we didn't know what was going to happen. The fire was really going. We thought all the houses would go up.
"If it was arson the people who did it just didn't think. There are so many families on the street and it could have been a lot worse."
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Weather for Kettering
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: West
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