16 May 2011
The Heinz factory in Worstead, near Walsham where they produce Aunt Bessie’s frozen potato products has been severly damaged by a fire in an industrial fat fryer.
The blaze was reported just after 6pm on Friday 6th May. Over 90 firefighters attended the fire and an aerial attack using foam was made.
Firefighters had a difficult job containing the fire due to the sandwich panel construction of the building. David Ashworth, group manager at Norfolk Fire and rescue said that the fire had spread to the polyurethane foam core of the panels, so was deep seated and extremely hard to access. He praised the firefighters for their skill and tenacity throughout the incident and said Heinz staff had been very co-operative and supportive.
A spokesperson from Heinz told info4fire:
“Last Friday evening we experienced a major fire at our Westwick factory where we produce Aunt Bessie’s frozen potato products…The site was safely evacuated and no one was hurt or injured. The fire which was largely confined to one production area, was put out by the fire services.
“Safety is always of paramount concern to Heinz and production of Aunt Bessie’s frozen potato products will not resume until a full assessment can be made of the incident.”
All commercial properties which includes factories and manufacturing plants in England and Wales must carry out a suitable and sufficent Fire Risk Assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.