NIGHT shift workers had to be evacuated after a fire broke out in a factory in Lifton just after 4am on Wednesday, May 20.

Two fire brigade crews from Launceston were sent to the premises after smoke was seen coming from the animal feed processing plant.

Further crews were dispatched from Okehampton, Tavistock, Plymouth and the aerial ladder platform from Crownhill, Plymouth, as the fire, involving machinery, threatened to spread to upper floors.Two further appliances were sent from Callington and Bere Alston.

It is believed that the fire started in an animal feed cooler on a mezzanine between the ground and first floors. Crews tackled the blaze and eventually left at 8am.