Praise for quick-thinking council worker who spotted blaze at…

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GRITTING manager Dave Rushton has told how he raised the alarm after spotting a furniture factory fire while carrying out a winter patrol in the middle of the night.

Quick-thinking Dave was out inspecting the rural roads around Leek when he smelt smoke before realising a blaze was sweeping though a building on Barnfield Road Industrial Estate.

Community highways liaison officer Dave, who has worked for Staffordshire County Council for 25 years, dialled 999 at 4am on Thursday.

An investigation into what sparked the fire is ongoing and the cause is expected to be known later today.

He said: When I am out checking the roads there is usually not another soul around so I am always extra vigilant and just get a sense when something isnt quite right.

I wound down the car window and thought I could smell smoke, which was clearly strange as this time of the morning so I decided to pull over and got out to take a closer look. Although, I couldnt see any flames or anything I could hear a strange crackling and knew instinctively it was a fire at the industrial park below.

I just pleased that I was there to be able to raise the alarm as the fire inspector said the blaze would have been even worse than it was if they didnt get there when they did.

More than 30,000 of timber used to make luxury garden products was destroyed in the blaze at Breeze House. Around 30 firefighters from Leek, Hanley and Sandyford smashed their way into the Sunnyhills Road building before spending around three hours tackling the blaze.

Significant damage was also caused to the roof but the costs of repairs is not yet known.

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Praise for quick-thinking council worker who spotted blaze at...