Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A massive fire has broken out at an industrial bakery in a retail park in West Yorkshire, sending huge plumes of black smoke into the sky.
Twenty fire engines responded to the alarm and are fighting the blaze at the Speedibake factory in Wakefield. No injuries have been reported, police said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at 1.17pm. Traffic was brought to a standstill as West Yorkshire Police closed roads and told drivers to avoid the area.
A police spokesman said: “The wind is causing the smoke from the fire to blow into the city centre.”
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said 50 per cent of the building’s ground floor was on fire.
It advised residents of the area to close their windows and doors to avoid smoke, which it was initially feared may contain asbestos from the building.
But fire chiefs later confirmed asbestos sheets were not used in the part of the bakery which was ablaze.
Fire crews with 12 pumps and an aerial appliance remained at the scene at 10pm on Saturday as the fight to extinguish the blaze stretched into the night.
Videos and images posted on social media by people in the area showed big black clouds of smoke billowing out of the factory.
One person said: “Just pulled into Wakefield for a day back up north and discovered it’s turned into Chernobyl.”
Former Wakefield MP Mary Creagh said in a tweet: “Dramatic fire at Speedibake in Wakefield right now. Visited the doughnut line a couple of years back. Thoughts with staff, firefighters and police dealing with blaze.”
A performance by a Bon Jovi tribute band at the Theatre Royal Wakefield has been cancelled due to the fire.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments