WORKERS were evacuated from the Nestl factory in York today after fire broke out in the cocoa roasting plant.
York fire crews were called to the Wigginton Road plant at 7am after reports that one of the cocoa machines was on fire.
Firefighters used breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze, and about 20 workers were evacuated.
Cocoa beans were removed from a machine hopper and thermal imaging cameras were used to make sure the fire was out. Divisional Officer Steve Cluderay said: "The plant was filled with smoke and the building had to be evacuated. These fires are not uncommon where you get hot processes.
Ian Jobson, general manager of Nestl, said: "It was a great response from the fire brigade. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.
"We have now sent a team in to investigate the cause. We anticipate the processing area being up and running fairly quickly."
Updated: 14:31 Tuesday, October 28, 2003
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