Fire hits Suffolk factory
THREE fire crews battled in the early hours of today to put out a blaze which swept through part of an electronics factory at Melton.The fire at Cogent Technology's premises in Dock Lane started at 3.30am after a circuit board in a large soldering machine caught alight.
THREE fire crews battled in the early hours of today to put out a blaze which swept through part of an electronics factory at Melton.
The fire at Cogent Technology's premises in Dock Lane started at 3.30am after a circuit board in a large soldering machine caught alight.
But today the factory - which makes electrical products for other companies, including medical devices, instrumentation and control equipment - was in operation as normal.
Managing director Nigel Slator praised the police and fire service for their quick action in dealing with the incident.
“We want to say a big thank you to the emergency services because without their help it could have been much worse,” he said.
The soldering machine was in a 45 metre by 20m building on the site and had been in stand-by mode overnight.
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Mr Slator said the machine was designed to hibernate at night so it didn't take so long to warm up when needed. The fire was contained in the machine, which was a write-off.
“The machine will have to be replaced and the room is very smoke damaged so we have a bit of a clean up on our hands. We are in business as usual and should have the affected part of the site up and running again in a week,” he said.
The company employs 70 people and has been in business since 1985 and has a £4.5 million annual turnover.
Firefighters from Woodbridge, Princes Street and Colchester Road in Ipswich were called to tackle the fire. It took just over an hour to extinguish the flames.
