The fire at the Allied Glass factory. Photo: Neil Stephenson
By Thomas McGlynn
DEMOLITION WORK is underway at a factory that was devastated by fire in Leeds so that it can rise from the ashes.
The Allied Glass factory in Towngate Link, Cross Green Way, was hit by the massive blaze just after midnight last Friday with more than 100 firefighters tackling the blaze.
Allied Glass is a leading glass bottle manufacturing company with sites in both Leeds and Knottingley. The factory is being demolished completely and rebuilt from scratch in order to make it safer for the company and those employed there.
The building has been left completely destroyed in the wake of the fire, and explosions were heard inside the building. The smoke could be seen for miles around.
One witness, Neil Stephenson, 45, who works in the AECOM offices nearby, said: “There was lots of smoke billowing like something at the beginning of a Harry Potter film.
“When I saw it from work, there were still flames in the smoke blowing up very high as well.”
Twenty-one people were inside the factory when it caught fire but miraculously nobody was hurt.
Before the fire, Allied Glass was able to produce 13 million glass bottles a week collectively from its Leeds and Knottingley sites.
The company produces glass bottles for many famous international brands as well as supporting small local whiskey and gin businesses.
Allied Glass were contacted for further details but have not responded at the time of publication.