Fire crews rush to Tangerine factory fire

Teams from North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue were called to a fire at Tangerine Confectionery’s factory in York this week.

Fire crews were called to the fire at an industrial estate on Low Poppleton Lane at 8:09pm on Monday 31 October.

The fire was caused a faulty component on a sugar boiling machine and was out by the time fire fighters arrived at the scene. Fire crews used a CO2 extinguisher to cool the equipment before leaving.

Sugar boiling machine

Tangerine manufactures iconic British confectionery brands Dip Dab and Refreshers, as well as popcorn brand Butterkist.

More than 1000 people work across Tangerines five factories in Liverpool, Pontefract, York, Blackpool and Cleckheaton.

Meanwhile, four days of strikes at Tangerine’s York factory were announced by the union GMB, after a failure to reach an agreement over pay.

A spokesman from Tangerine said a small amount of smoke was observed emanating from a motor near one of the production plants.

“Tangerine fire marshals immediately attended the scene and took appropriate action. As a precautionary measure, and in line with Company procedures, the site was evacuated and the Fire Service called.

“The scene of the incident was promptly confirmed as safe and the staff were allowed to return to work.”