Nightshift worker killed by blaze at gourmet vegetarian food factory

A FACTORY worker died after a fire ripped through the building as he worked the nightshift.

The victim, who was named locally as Brian Newton and was believed to be in his 30s, was an employee at Wicken Fen, Duns, in the Scottish Borders.

Sixty firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out shortly after 11pm on Sunday.

Mr Newton's body was found inside the badly damaged factory building.

The company produces gourmet vegetarian food, supplying delis and supermarkets across the UK.

A neighbouring businessman said he believed the dead man had been working when the fire started.

He said: "He would probably have been on the nightshift because the firm is quite busy.

"They have got big fryers in that building. The fire probably started there."

William Grimsdale, a director of Wicken Fen, was briefly at the scene of the tragedy yesterday morning, but left without making comment.

Speaking later at his home on a farm outside Duns, he said: "It's all under investigation by the police and I'm not supposed to say anything."

Colleagues described Mr Newton as a dedicated worker.

One, who asked not to be named, said: "Brian was just a really nice guy. He was absolutely hilarious and was one of a kind."

Another said: "We worked together for a year. He was a top bloke and one in a million. It's still not sunk in yet."

The severity of the fire could clearly be seen yesterday in the scorch marks above several windows and doors.

Firefighters were still on scene to inspect the building, which remained cordoned off.

Yesterday, a police car was parked in lane outside Mr Newton's home in Polwarth, which he is believed to share with at least two other people.

A policewoman answered the door but refused to comment. Both the fire service and police said it was too early to say whether there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to a fire in a single-storey factory building at 23:16.

"The factory housed a carpet factory and the Wicken Fen food factory. The fire is believed to have started in the food-processing area. There was one male fatality."

Police confirmed that the body of a 37-year-old man had been found in the building and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force said: "Police and fire officers are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and inquiries are at an early stage."

A spokesman added: "Tragically, this fire has resulted in a fatality, and we are now investigating along with Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue to establish the events that led to a man's death."Anyone with information that can assist with the investigation is asked to contact police immediately."