Walkers Crisps factory fire erupts with Leicester building 'filling with smoke'

A large fire has broken out at what is believed to be the Walkers Crisps factory on an industrial estate in Leicester.

Nine crews from fire stations across the city and county, including the aerial platform ladder, were called to the incident, in Beaumont Leys, shortly before 11am on Friday.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the incident was on the Walkers site in Leycroft Road.

The alarm was raised when workers at the site reported that the building was "filling with smoke".

Fire crews from as far away as Market Harborough and Coalville are at the incident.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said that the emergency call was received from the premises at 10.43am.

They said: "We received a call from the site stating that the factory filling with smoke, with the roof possibly on fire."

A Walkers spokesperson said: "Our Bursom Road site in Leicester was safely evacuated this morning due to a fire on the roof of the building.

"The fire has now been brought under control and the fire brigade remains on site as a precautionary measure. Everybody on site has been accounted for."

It comes at a difficult time for the company, which is already experiencing supply chain issues.

Walkers previously confirmed that an IT upgrade is the reason behind the shortage of its crisps.

It is understood the technical issue has been fixed but it is the knock-on effect that has been disrupting supplies.