Words: John Baron. Photos: Gretel Price & Jessie Wong
Firefighters have been called to a blaze at a plastics factory on Anchor Works in the Swinnow and Stanningley area this lunchtime.
At least five appliances were called to Swinnow Lane to a blaze behind a printing factory.
Police, fire and paramedics are on the scene. No casualties or injuries are reported.
One onlooker reported hearing four or five big explosions at around mid-day.
Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles around and was blowing across Stanningley Bypass, causing poor visibility. Stanningley Bypass was closed for around two hours but has now reopened.
Swinnow Lane is also currently closed, leading to traffic congestion in Stanningley Road, Swinnow Road and parts of Pudsey and Stanningley.
West Yorkshire Fire Service is warning people to stay away from the area and for those living nearby to close their windows and doors to keep away from the smoke.
Here’s a slideshow of photos:
Public transport has been affected. First Bus is reporting that Stanningley Bypass has now been reopened, allowing its services to return to their usual routes. The services affected by the closure were the 4, 4A, 508, X6 and X11.
A West Yorkshire Police statement read: “We are assisting fire service colleagues at the scene. Road closures are in place around the site. Drivers are advised to avoid the area.”
Here are some more photos taken from the scene by WLD editor John Baron:
