Shock at yesterday's explosion and fire at the Distillex plant on North Tyneside was already turning to anger last night. BRUCE UNWIN reports on the residents who are living in fear of their industrial neighbour

TWICE in four months residents of Tyne- mouth Road have heard the sirens, followed quickly by instructions to lock their windows - and yesterday to abandon their homes.

As the drama began to subside last night, the community began to express its growing unease over the industrial giant, Distillex, on its doorstep.

After two near-misses, businessman Micky Gradwell is worried what might happen next.

"It is only when something like this happens that it makes people sit up and take some action," he said.

Mr Gradwell, who runs Dial Motor Company, 300 yards from the factory, said: "Since January, everyone round here has been saying it is a timebomb waiting to explode - and it literally has.

"When you think there is a timber yard nearby and other factories dotted around, plus this is a residential area, it is amazing they have ever been allowed to operate.

"I can't understand how they have been allowed to carry on, but it takes something like this to open people's eyes."

Mr Gradwell said he would be amazed if action was not now taken to close the chemical recycling factory.

"I would think there will be an outcry if they don't close it now," he said.

Three cars in the paint shop at Mr Gradwell's premises were damaged beyond repair by smoke and only the prompt actions of his staff in moving other vehicles to a nearby car park saved more of his stock.

Mr Gradwell said hundreds of people were watching the scene from a junction that had been taped off by the emergency services.

He said at the height of the fire it was a spectacle.

"Drums were flying through the air like Coke cans and it is surprising no one was hurt," he said.

Mr Gradwell's son, Micky Jnr, broke through the police cordon after realising that a tenant in a flat above the premises had not been seen.

He woke up 35-year-old Craig Cornforth, who had slept through the drama after working a nightshift.

He emerged through the smoke to the cheers of the crowds beyond the cordon.

The blaze was the main talking point among drinkers at the Coburg pub, in Tynemouth Road.

Tenant Colin Kemp said: "There were crowds of people standing around watching outside and the police moved them on.

"We kept popping out to have a look ourselves. It was an impressive sight. There were fireballs in the air and it was at its peak for about an hour, from 4pm to 5pm.

"It hit our trade for a while on what is one of our busiest afternoons, but it is picking up now and that is all people are talking about."

Mechanic Peter Temple was in his second-storey flat overlooking the site when he became aware of the blaze, after hearing a loud explosion.

"I was in the flat and I suddenly heard one of the barrels explode," he said.

"They were shooting through the air 100ft or more. It is amazing nobody was hurt."

Among those affected by the exclusion zone was a police officer, 36-year-old Carol Davison, who was unable to get to her flat, about a quarter-of-a-mile from the factory.

"I came down here about 4.30pm, when I came home from work, and I was not allowed in," she said.

"Luckily, my mother lives not far away and she is looking after my 18-month-old baby, but I have got three cats in the house.

"I came back at about 6.30pm and I tried arguing, but they said we could not go through, so they will just have to wait to get fed.

"It is understandable, really. There are times when I have had to be on a cordon, so I could understand the officers' position."

She hoped to be able to return to her flat this morning.

Former Distillex employee Dave Campie said he saw drums flying between 100 and 200ft in the air from his home, not far from the site.

"They are 200 and 220 kilos and they contain acetone and thinners. They were just bursting into flames as they went up in the air," said Mr Campie