Antrim: Two in hospital after fire in Newpark Industrial Estate

Image caption, SAM makes MDF mouldings such as skirtings and cladding

Two people have been taken to hospital after a fire at a large factory warehouse near Antrim town.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) was called to SAM in the Newpark Industrial Estate after 01:00 BST on Friday.

A fire broke out in an electrical piece of machinery, which spread to sawdust, the fire service said. This then caused a significant dust explosion.

Fifty workers, who were on a night shift, were moved out of the building.

Firefighters spent five hours extinguishing the fire.

The company makes MDF mouldings such as fascia and skirting.

Two employees were taken to hospital for treatment to superficial injuries and burns.

Brian Coombes from the NIFRS said one aerial appliance as well as eight fire appliances from Antrim, Ballyclare, Crumlin, Belfast and Ballymena attended the scene.

He praised firefighters "quick thinking" from stopping the fire spreading throughout the building.