Chemical fire disrupts production at Vista

A 24-hour fire at a Widnes-based recycling company has caused smoke damage to the contact lens materials manufacturer Vista Optics.

The fire started at 12.30am on November 17, destroying a building that contained chemicals, waste oils and dry cell batteries.

David Walker, Vista managing director, said: 'The effect on the local environment was not good, with local home owners, including some of our staff, being kept awake all night by random explosions as the various products were ignited. Thankfully there were no casualties or reports of injury.'

Walker added that the inside and outside of the Vista building had been professionally cleaned, and all stock and work in progress had been relocated to temporary premises and fully repackaged as a precaution.