Around 80 residents had to evacuate their homes after an explosion and fire in the production and warehouse buildings at Stirling Lloyd on Birch Vale Industrial Estate, Station Road, on Friday evening.

The powerful blast sent debris flying into neighbouring gardens, as thick black smoke billowed into the night sky.

Eyewitness Aisha Yasmin Hammond told the Advertiser: "There was a loud bang and the sound of glass smashing. I turned in horror to notice a thick black cloud pushing itself forwards.

"As we looked up we saw glass falling over the roof of the house in front of us, crashing at our feet. The pieces of glass were alarmingly large."

Police set up a 200-metre cordon around the site, closing nearby Station Road and Hayfield Road, as crowds of onlookers gathered on the hillside overlooking the blazing factory to watch the drama unfold.

Derbyshire County Council's emergency planning department opened up a rest centre for evacuees who could not find alternative shelter with friends and family. These residents were only allowed back into their homes on Saturday afternoon.

Twelve fire appliances from across Derbyshire and neighbouring Cheshire and Greater Manchester rushed to the incident, assisted by two aerial ladder platforms, the High Volume Pump and other specialist support vehicles.

Buxton Fire Station Manager Colin Winterbottom, who was one of the first officers on the scene, said: "It was a large factory fire and we responded accordingly, although this was partly to ensure it did not spread to the surrounding area.

"The company used lots of different chemicals on the site, and our crews had to be aware of the dangers of explosions and the fire escalating. As well as the main explosion, there were still small explosions going off until 11pm or 12am.

"The crews also had to ensure the run-off of water did not pollute the surrounding area."

Fire investigation officers have been at the scene throughout this week, however the cause of the blaze was still being determined as the Advertiser went to press.

Officers from the Environment Agency worked with the fire service to minimise the environmental impact of the blaze at the Stirling Lloyd factory, which makes polymer resins for the construction industry, and will monitor the local water course and atmosphere during the clean-up operation.

Stirling Lloyd Managing Director David Lloyd said: "The management and employees of Stirling Lloyd are understandably very upset but extremely relieved that nobody was hurt.

"We must also offer our apologies to any local residents who were asked to evacuate their homes as a safety precaution and our heartfelt thanks go to the local emergency services. The situation was brought under control quickly."

Although production at the site is suspended, the company's offices continue to operate as usual. Contingency plans have been implemented, which include organising production at alternative facilities.

Mr Lloyd continued: "I am very proud of the way the management and staff of Stirling Lloyd have pulled together. It's a real testament to the spirit and determination within the company to overcome these events."

The county council and High Peak Borough Council have also been supporting the emergency services.

Borough council leader and Sett Ward councillor Tony Ashton said: "I would like to praise the professionalism and courage of the emergency services, who, working together quickly tackled the fire, evacuated nearby homes and closed off roads, moving residents to safety.

"Officers from our emergency team worked through Friday night and over the weekend supporting the many agencies involved.

"We produced and hand-delivered a newsletter to affected residents on Sunday evening to keep them informed of what went on and with emergency contact numbers, should they still have any concerns.

"This has been a concerted team effort by all the services involved, who with local residents, came together to support the community in a time of need. I cannot praise this response by our emergency services too highly."

High Peak MP Tom Levitt added: "It is due to the diligence and bravery of rescue teams that the damage was minimised.

"Everybody will be relieved that there were no deaths or injuries and I accept assurances by the Environment Agency that pollution from the blaze appears to be short-term and minimal."