Firm Faces Big Fine after Chemical Fire Investigation

Chemicals company Distillex is facing a heavy fine after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches following a serious fire at its Tyneside factory in April 2002. Magistrates have referred the case to the Crown Court, where the fine is NOT limited to £40,000.

More than 500 hundred people were evacuated after sparks from an angle grinder caused the fire, which destroyed two buildings and needed more than 300 fire fighters to put it out.

The two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 were failing to ensure the safety of employees and of non-employees.
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