Dramatic pictures show extent of massive Northampton factory fire as smoke seen billowing across town and further afield

Firefighters were called to the huge blaze at a carpet recycling unit on Lodge Farm Industrial Estate in Northampton on Saturday July 11, just before 7pm.

Residents nearby were advised to close their windows and doors, as smoke billowed from the unit. The smoke was visible across town, which Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) says led to nearly 100 calls to the control room. Eyewitnesses said they heard “banging, like fireworks”.

A spokesman for NFRS said: “The fire service worked into the evening to try and contain the fire, using water jets from height to extinguish the blaze. By 11pm good progress had been made and the number of appliances on scene was scaled down.

“By 2am on Sunday, the fire was largely out but with hotspots remaining. Crews remained at the scene throughout the day to continue monitoring the temperatures.

“A fire investigation was held on Sunday lunchtime, which found that the fire most likely started accidentally in a skip inside the factory.”

Below are photos of the incident, which show the extent of the fire and the billowing smoke.

Video credit: Ben Hopkins.