The blaze on Friday evening is believed to have started some time before 6.45pm, engulfing a plastics factory at Birch Vale Industrial Estate, Station Road.

Around a dozen fire appliances were in attendance.

Station Road and Hayfield Road were immediately closed, and surrounding homes were evacuated, as police set-up a 200-metre cordon around the site.

A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman said: "At 6.45pm on Friday, emergency services responded to numerous calls concerning an explosion at an industrial premises on Birch Vale Industrial Estate.

"All emergency services were at the scene within minutes of the first call."

Derbyshire County Council emergency planning department opened up a rest centre for evacuees.

Residents not evacuated from their homes were advised to stay indoors with all their doors and windows closed.

Motorists were also advised to stay away from the area.

Crowds of onlookers gathered on the hillside overlooking the blazing factory to watch the drama unfold.

Did you witness the blaze? Post your eyewitness accounts below or email news@buxtonadvertiser.co.uk with your photographs and videos.

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