Firefighters called to blaze in machinery at Northamptonshire flour mill

Haygates' Bugbrooke plant back up and running and no injuries following fire

More than 30 firefighters were called to a blaze in machinery at Heygates flour mill near Northampton on Thursday afternoon.

Six crews from across the county took around five hours to make sure the mill was safe before scaling down the incident at around 2pm in Bugbrooke.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue said: "The fire was in an extraction system. All staff were safely evacuated nobody was hurt."

Six sets of fire crews were called to the fire at Heygates in Bugbrooke on Thursdayplaceholder image
Six sets of fire crews were called to the fire at Heygates in Bugbrooke on Thursday

The 450-year-old family-run business employs over 900 staff with mills producing flour for breads, cakes, pizzas, burger buns, chapattis, biscuits and more besides, supplying large manufacturing plants, in-store supermarket bakeries and craft bakers.

The current site at Bugbrooke was built in 1942 — replacing one which was destroyed by fire.

Director of Operations Rob Heygates said: "A dust collector in a machine caught fire but the fire was contained very quickly. Everybody got out safely and we were back up and running by 9pm.

"We are clearing up a bit of water but there's minimal damage and no loss of production.

"The fire crews were really quick getting things under control and I'd like to express my thanks to them for everything they do."

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

News you can trust since 1931
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice