Linthwaite chemical factory fire – history repeats itself at fire hit factory

HISTORY has repeated itself as the Grosvenor Chemicals factory has gone up in flames before.

The Examiner first reported in February 1996 that thick plumes of smoke filled the air of the Valleys after a fire broke out in one of the plant’s units.

Staff had raised the alarm and one worker suffered minor injuries during the incident.

At the time, insect repellent and drums of highly flammable isopropyl alcohol went up in flames during the afternoon while staff were on site.

The blaze severely damaged half of the building and the remainder was smoke logged and heat damaged.

Firefighters used the water from the canal to dampen down the site.

An electrical fault was to blame for the fire.

Then in March 2002 18 firefighters were called to the works to tackle an ‘extensive fire’ which affected two boilers and the pipeworks.