DOZENS of firefighters spent hours battling flames which reached more than 100ft in the air.

Fire tore through the SIS Pitches unit on Maryport’s Glasson Industrial Estate, ripping through the company’s warehouse and threatening those adjacent to it.

Eight fire engines and an aerial ladder platform – sent from Carlisle – were called to the fire at about 1.30pm yesterday.

Firefighters were still working to put out the blaze last night and the A596 was expected to remain closed until the fire was dealth with.

An SIS spokesman said the fire was in a warehouse containing yarn, used in the production of synthetic turf, and not the main production area.

The nearby factory, which produces the synthetic pitches for clients worldwide, has been unaffected and will continue production as normal.

Bryn Lee, managing director of SIS Pitches, said: “Our highest priority is the safety and well being of our staff and those within the vicinity of the fire and we are thankful that nobody has been injured.

“We pride ourselves on our excellent safety procedures and will be carrying out a full investigation into the cause of the fire.

“The incident was contained within one facility and all other SIS Pitches facilities are in full operation.”

Police evacuated nearby offices as emergency services tackled the blaze, eventually closing surrounding roads including the A596.

Traffic was diverted around the town: at one point the only way for traffic to get to Workington from Maryport was on the Dearham road, causing major tailbacks in Broughton Moor and Seaton.

One driver said: “It took me an hour and 45 minutes to pick my son up from Netherhall School.

“Our back roads can’t cope with the amounts of traffic being pushed around them.”

Trains on the Cumbrian coastal line were cancelled and Stagecoach diverted its 30 and 31 services through Seaton.

A passer-by at the scene said: “It looks as though rolls of artificial turf have gone up in flames and it spread really quickly. The wind fanned the flames. Lots of units nearby are in danger. The heat is unbelievable.

“Fire trucks are having trouble getting to the fire and are looking for a way to get water there.”

Fire engines were going to the harbour to fill up with water to fight the flames.

Workers from Fearons Builders, which is based next to SIS, were called to the scene by fire chiefs to move fuel stored at its premises.

Emergency services advised anyone downwind of the smoke plume to stay indoors and keep windows closed.

Jacqui Towers, of Grasslot Street, said: “The fire was just a couple of hundred of yards from where I live. The smoke was unbelievable. It is a terrible thing.”

Smoke from the blaze could be seen in Workington, Cockermouth and Great Broughton with some reports even claiming it was visible from Whitehaven, the Greenbank estate and St Bees.

Schoolchildren at the nearby Grasslot Infant School were sent home at 2.20pm.

Headteacher Karen Loudon said: “Although there was no threat to the school, children were getting upset and with roads closing we thought it was wise to close the school.”

Jim McBride, of Wigton, was visiting family in Maryport and watched the blaze from a nearby vantage point.

Speaking at the time, he told the News & Star there were flames “100ft to 150ft in the air”.

“I’m sat on Mote Hill and the flames are level with me,” he said.

“There’s a thick black pall of smoke and it looks like several units are alight.”

Sue Hayman, Workington MP, issued a statement last night praising the emergency services.

“I am shocked to hear about the huge blaze in Maryport,” she said, “and wanted to thank the Fire Service and Cumbria Police for their fantastic efforts in tackling the blaze and keeping people safe.”