Bramley residents were left "in shock" when they saw thick black smoke and around 20 emergency services dominate their district this afternoon.
From around 11.45am, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and West Yorkshire Police swarmed Swinnow Lane following reports of a factory fire. Smoke was seen bellowing from MPM, behind Print Leeds.
The cause of the fire has not been established at this time and no injuries have been reported. Leeds residents reported seeing and smelling the fire miles away from the scene. Bramley residents were warned to close their windows and doors, while factory workers were left "running" from the burning building after being evacuated.
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Crowds of people were seen onlooking the scene for hours as emergency services conducted enquiries. Pensioner Lynn, who lives nearby to the industrial estate, said: "I was doing my ironing upstairs and I heard a bang. I looked out my window and saw all this smoke. I think I went into shock."
She added: "I was scared to be honest. You just get scared when you don't know what it is. But the fire service were here within five minutes."
Resident Lee, who lives just off Rycroft Avenue, Bramley, said: "God it's awful. I used to work at MPM and know a few lads who work there. My mate knocked on my door and told me about it."
Pat, Phil, and Lee, ran out of Keltec Performance - just behind the MPM factory - said they "ran out" of the building after hearing "a bang". The group of workers stood outside council flats, Rycroft Towers, for hours while they waited to hear more.
Lee added: "We heard it all. All the bobbies told us to get out so that's what we did. Luckily one of us lives close by. I don't think anyone has been hurt, thankfully."
Three young factory workers onlooking the scene said: "We don't work in there [MPM] thank god. We have been here for ages. We are going to get some food now."
An Eddie Stobart lorry driver, who wanted to get onto Swinnow Lane, said: "I am just trying to get past, what's happening? Guess I will have to put my feet up in my lorry till the road opens."
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WYFRS said: "5 WYFRS appliances are currently in attendance at an incident in Bramley, Leeds, which has created a huge plume of black smoke.
"Those in the surrounding areas are advised to close windows & doors due to the smoke. Please also avoid the area."
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