Staff evacuated from industrial cooker fire

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the blaze at Park Cakes at about 4.25pm on Friday. Workers at the site were evacuated before fire crews arrived.

Three fire engines attended the fire at the cake-maker’s site in Bella Street, using four breathing apparatus, two hose reels and a thermal imaging camera to fight the flames.

Firefighters battled the blaze for almost nine hours, remaining at the scene until 1am. The fire had left the cooker with considerable damage.

Own-label​

Park Cakes operates from two production sites located in Oldham and Bolton, with the latter employing up to 400 members of staff on average. It supplies own-label cakes and desserts to supermarkets across the country.

There have been a number of fires that have affected food and drink companies since the beginning of last month.

Firefighters battled a blaze at 2 Sisters Food Group-owned seafood processor Five Star Fish in Grimsby, after a fire broke out in an outbuilding. The fire was understood to be next to a large oil tank, prompting firefighters to focus their attention on it in order to stop any possibility of ignition.

Last month also saw Warburtons’ Newcastle site evacuated after one of its ovens caught fire.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the coffee maker hit by a major fire at its Kent factory​​ said it was “working hard”​ to secure supply, but would be supported by its European roasters if necessary.