Toxic smoke fears as printing plant burns

A MAN was injured and three firefighters were sent to hospital for checks after a major blaze at a printing works in Livingston yesterday.

• Locals were told to keep their windows shut Picture: Colin Hattersley

The fire caused health fears from a long plume of potentially toxic smoke, which could be seen for miles.

Some 70 firefighters tackled the outbreak at the Amcor Flexibles plant in Brucefield Industrial Estate, which forced the closure of several roads and a nearby Edinburgh-Glasgow rail route.

A total of 12 fire engines from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched to the blaze, which broke out just before noon. The cause is not known.

Some firefighters were expected to stay overnight to pour water over highly inflammable acetylene cylinders to ensure they did not explode.

The packaging print works also contained printing inks and solvents, which can be highly volatile when involved in a fire.

Surrounding businesses were evacuated and residents ordered to stay indoors and keep their windows closed because of fears about possible toxic fumes from the chemicals.

One man was taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston with burns to his arm.

A secondary Edinburgh-Glasgow rail line was closed between Shotts and Kirknewton. Passengers were transferred by coach, but ScotRail said the disruption had not affected pilgrims travelling to the Papal Mass in Glasgow.

Residents in nearby Murieston were warned about the smoke. A fire service spokeswoman said: "We have advised people to stay indoors and shut doors and windows as a precaution."

A police spokesman said: "oad closures have been put in place, and neighbouring premises have been evacuated of staff."

A ScotRail spokesman said: "We are keeping disruption to a minimum while the line is closed."