Meeting saves workers from blast

6:30pm Monday 1st December 2008

Workers at a rubber factory hit by an explosion had a lucky escape as they were at a meeting in another part of the building.

One person suffered minor injuries in the blast which tore off huge metal panels and shattered the windows of nearby offices.

But there could have been many more casualties if staff had been at the factory end of the building when the explosion took place.

Emergency crews were called to the Slough Industrial Estate in Berkshire, made famous as the set of the Ricky Gervais TV comedy series The Office.

The "significant blast" at the Duco International Ltd building was heard miles away, including at the local fire station.

Workers at the building managed to escape while six fire crews raced to the scene to deal with the resulting blaze.

Nearby roads were closed off and staff from neighbouring offices were evacuated.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said one person suffered minor injuries, believed to have been caused by flying glass or debris.

A joint investigation into the cause of the blast is being carried by the fire service and police but there not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

The Health and Safety Executive will also be investigating.