Workers flee as 'major' fire hits vegetable packing plant

FIREFIGHTERS from across Fife were called to tackle a "major blaze" which swept through a vegetable packing plant early yesterday.

Night workers were evacuated from the packing sheds at the Kettle Produce plant in Freuchie when fire swept through the building – creating a huge plume of smoke which could be seen for miles.

Fife Police said an investigation was under way into the cause of the blaze, which is believed to have completely destroyed a packing shed where 250 people worked.

A spokesman for Fife police issued a joint statement with the Fire and Rescue Service which said: "Fife Constabulary are currently investigating the circumstances of an early-morning fire at the Kettle Produce facility on the outskirts of Freuchie.

"About 6am, ten appliances and 50 firefighters from Fife Fire and Rescue were at the scene tackling what has been described as a major fire.

"The full extent of damage is not known at the current time. However, it is known that it was contained to a packing and chill area.

"Although the cause of the fire cannot be established at this stage, it can be confirmed that no person has been injured and all nightshift staff were safely evacuated.

"A presence by the emergency services will be maintained until the area is made safe and investigations can then focus on areas within the affected property to establish the cause of the fire."

Fife Fire and Rescue Service said every station in Fife was involved in the operation, with fire officers not directly involved on standby.

Fire crews from Central Scotland and Tayside were also put on standby as firefighters worked to quell the flames.

A spokesman for Kettle Produce said the company would hold its own investigation. "The nightshift staff were all safely evacuated and Fife Fire and Rescue Service were immediately called. An investigation will be launched following the incident to establish the cause of the fire.

"The full extent of damage is not known at the current time."

The spokesman added that it was too early to say what effect the fire would have on the business – which employs 800-900 people at Freuchie and a nearby site at Dalmaholm.

Reports from the scene suggested the packing shed at Orkie Farm, where 250 people work, was completely destroyed by the fire.

The spokesman added: "At the current time it is too early to say what effect the fire will have on this site. While operations at this particular site have been temporarily put on hold, it is business as usual and we will be continuing to supply our customers as normal.

The firm is one of the leading suppliers of fruit and vegetables, and particularly of late-season Scottish-grown carrots to UK supermarkets. The business currently grows more than 6,000 hectares of crops across the UK and Continental Europe.

With an annual turnover of more than 90 million, the company produces more than 50,000 tonnes of fresh produce, including root vegetables, salads and green vegetables each year.