As firefighters fought to stop the blaze spreading, drums containing lacquer exploded inside the Station Road premises. All the 27-strong workforce escaped from the blaze. Devastated, they stood outside, many in tears. They are now scared for the future, uncertain about their jobs. Some saw their cars parked outside the building destroyed by the fire.
Fields houses a large quantity of equipment.
A 300,000 computerized machine was destroyed in the blaze. Among other items Fields makes fire doors. It also had a contract to make doors for the new Tate Gallery. That work has now been destroyed. I was not on the premises at the time although I was only a short way away.