WORKERS at an animal processing plant had to be evacuated after a blaze broke out.
A fire occurred at De Mulder and Sons in Hartshill yesterday morning.
The decision was made to clear the company, located on Mancetter Road, of employees and dial 999.
The emergency call was answered by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Control Team who sent three crews to fight the flames and make the area safe.
The firefighter crews, two from Nuneaton Fire Station and one from Atherstone, were soon on the scene shortly after 8am.
The fire was located in ducting which had become blocked.
Once the blaze was extinguished, the crew from Atherstone remained on site to help clear the ducting of any obstruction before returning to base.
A spokesperson for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Two appliances from Nuneaton and one appliance from Atherstone attended the building fire in Hartshill, Nuneaton.
“The initial call was received at 8.05am on Wednesday, the incident involved a one storey building approximately 50 metres by 50 metres used as a meat processing plant.
“One breathing apparatus, one hose reel and working at height equipment were in use.”
A firefighter based at Nuneaton added: “The fire was located in the ducting and the site was evacuated as a precaution.
“It was quite an awkward operation due to the fire’s location.
“Once the fire was out, some firefighters from Atherstone stayed on the scene to help with clearing the ducting out to stop future problems.
“The company also had its own team to to help out.”
De Mulder & Sons is run by the PDM Group, which takes its name from Prosper De Mulder, its chairman who passed away aged 94 earlier this year.
Since its foundation in Doncaster in 1926, the PDM Group has grown to become a major chain by-product recycler.
The group of companies has an annual turnover in excess of £200m and employs more than 1,000 people at 23 sites across the UK.
The company is owned by SARIA Bio-Industries and members of the founder’s family.
Prosper De Mulder joined the family meat business in 1933, aged 16, and worked on adding value to the by-products generated by the slaughterhouse.
