This Is North Devon
09:00 - 28-August-2008
A BARNSTAPLE factory was evacuated yesterday evening when smoke was spotted coming from a pipe on the outside of the building.
Two fire engines were called to the Leaderflush Shapland, Raleigh Works site at Anchorwood Bank at 7pm.
A factory worker had gone outside and spotted smoke coming from a pumping system which filters MDF dust from the factory floor.
Watch commander John Nolan from Barnstaple fire station said: "Smoke was coming from the pump vents.
"There was a build up of dust and the pump had got hot. We isolated the electrics, shut down the motor and took the duct apart."
Mr Nolan said about 25 people had been evacuated from the factory.
Firefighters had to wear protective clothing when they were dealing with the MDF dust.
"There was no danger to life, but MDF is carcinogenic, and in powdered form it could ignite, so we had to wear the appropriate equipment.
"We got everyone back and started damping down."
Fire crews left the scene at 8.20pm.