Monty’s Tropical Rags factory in West Midlands succumbed to a violent blaze early this week requiring the efforts of 200 firefighters to contain the inferno. West Midlands police and fire officials closed roads and train stations urging residents to close their windows amidst fears of a massive exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma cancer alert-West Midlands police fear factory fire caused massive exposure to asbestos fibers.
UK–An out of control fire at a West Midlands factory may have caused lethal asbestos fibers to be released into the environment earlier this week as reported by BBC News. Close to 200 firefighters continued to battle the blaze late Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at the Monty’s Tropical Rags factory in West Midlands. The fire spread to several structures, and the roof collapsed with firefighters running and jumping to safety.
Fire and police officials working together to contain and extinguish the massive factory fire closed Cornwall Road, Bridge Street North, Rabone Lane and Downing Street. Residents near Hawthorns Trading Estate in Cornwall Road were urged to keep their windows closed and stay inside to avoid an asbestos exposure. There have been no reported injuries and no one is suspected of being trapped inside the burning buildings as of Tuesday night.
Officials also shut down train stations at Smethwick Rolfe Street and Handsworth Booth Street. Witnesses in the area reported buildings collapsing and asbestos materials being thrown to the ground. West Midlands officials closed roads surrounding Monty’s Tropical Rags factory to help protect area residents from a highly probable exposure to asbestos materials. Asbestos fibers are known to be toxic and lethal to humans. When asbestos fibers are released into the air the risk of human exposure is high. Repeated primary and secondary exposure to asbestos fibers can cause chronic illnesses like asbestosis and fatal diseases like mesothelioma lung cancer.
Mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure alerts by legal news reporter Heather L. Ryan.