£1M DAMAGE IN FIRE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 19

£1M DAMAGE IN FIRE

Aircraft Factory' Destroyed (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 13. Damage estimated at about £1,000,000, was caused by a fire which broke out today in the Rolls Royce jet aircraft engine factory near Loughborough, Leicestershire. Five acres of buildings were alight at the height of the blaze, which threatened to destroy the whole factory, and the flames could be seen for miles around. The facory is a sub-assembly works employing about 1000 workers, and Rolls Royce announced tonight that production would be transferred to another works. It is understood that among secret prototypes destroyed by the] j fire were some special reverse- ■ thrust jet engines being developed t I for America. The engines chiefly produced were Tyne, Conway and Avon jets. No-one was injured during the blaze The roof of the single storey, five-acre factory caved in as 10 fire engines fought the blaze. The "Daily Express” reported that the fire was believed to have started soon after 2 p.m., following an explosion in the boiler room. A police officer said there was “no question of sabotage.” The "Daily Mail” reported that much of the work carried out at the works was covered by the Official Secrets Act. According to fire officers it was a miracle everyone got out. Ten engines and 60 firemen were sent from all parts of the county to deal with the fire. Tonight, notices were posted asking the employees to report as usual tomorrow to help with salvage work.