Firecrews are tackling a major blaze at Griffin Mill in Stroud.

Fire broke out at the Nu-Pro Aerospace factory at around 8pm last night (9 July).

Crews arrived on the scene just before 8.30pm. At one point 15 engines and an aerial vehicle were in attendance.

Around 60 firefighters have been tackling the fire using eight jets and 12 breathing apparatus.

There are fears that chemicals used in the faculty could ignite and the Environment Agency is on the scene to assist the firefighters.

John Beard, of Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service, explained: “It was a significant fire by the time we arrived. It had already involved one end of the building, so we concentrated on protecting the premises around it to stop it spreading and also trying to mitigate the potential damage to the environment because of some of the substances used in the processes in the factory.”

Local residents are being advised to remain indoors and keep windows and doors shut.

Thick black smoke has covered the A419 and the road has been closed. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area.

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.