Explosions heard as emergency services attend fire at chemical plant

People living near a chemical factory reported hearing multiple loud explosions before the plant burst into flames. The incident happened at the Synthite factory in Denbigh Road in Mold, Flintshire, at around 2pm on Tuesday followed by a significant emergency service presence at the scene.

Police told residents living near the site to keep their windows and doors closed as smoke billowed from the burning factory while fire crews from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service battled the blaze and buildings in the immediate area were evacuated. Footage taken by bystanders show flames rising from the roof of the factory.

Firefighters were still at the scene on Tuesday evening. Councillor Brian Lloyd told NorthWalesLive: “It is scary for the community but, fair play to the emergency services, they have been very quick to respond.”

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Intermittent explosions could be heard and a witness said he heard around eight or nine blasts. The police closed part of the A451 following the incident.

A spokesman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 2.06pm to a fire at a factory on Denbigh Road, Mold. Four crews, the incident command unit, the hazardous material unit, and the aerial ladder platform are in attendance tackling reports of a fire in the production area. Local residents are being asked to close windows and doors and avoid the area due to smoke and as a precautionary measure."

A Synthite spokesperson added: “We can confirm that there has been an incident at Synthite, Alyn Works, Denbigh Road, Mold. We are assisting the emergency