Blaze at Nissan plant will not disrupt car production

Officials at the Sunderland factory last night dismissed the blaze as a small incident.

More than 40 firefighters from across the region were despatched to the manufacturing base at about 9.30pm on Saturday after a fire broke out in a paint spray booth and triggered a full-scale emergency.

The paint booth is one of four such units where the final coat of paint is applied to Nissan Primera and Almera cars.

Although the plant is now on its annual two-week holiday break, it is understood that contractors were in the section fitting equipment to deal with newer Nissan models.

But the factory's engineering director, Colin Lawther said that no damage had been caused to any manufacturing machinery.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Lawther said: "At 21.33 on Saturday, there was an incident of fire in one of the paint spray booths.

"Approximately 20 staff were evacuated as a precaution and accounted for in line with the company safety procedures."

He said that one member of contract staff had been taken to hospital for a check-up but was later given the all-clear and discharged.

Mr Lawther confirmed that the fire prevention systems in the booth had activated as designed and efficiently contained the fire until it was fully extinguished by the fire service.

He said that fire appliances had left the site before midnight, leaving one tender on standby to ensure the fire had been completely damped down and that there was no secondary outbreaks.

It is understood there has been no structural damage to the building with most of the damage being caused by water.

Mr Lawther said a number of PCs and some switchgear were lost, but all could be easily replaced.

Mr Lawther added: "In summary, a small incident was contained within normal practices and although some remedial work is required, full production after the factory summer shutdown is expected."

An investigation is to be carried out to establish how the fire started.