A food factory in Wolverhampton went up in flames today causing what eye-witnesses described as “pandemonium”.

The ventilation system at the Indian snacks firm exploded after an industrial-sized deep fat fryer filled with boiling oil caught fire.

More than 30 workers from Imperial Snack Foods in Heath Town fled from the burning building after the blaze spread to the roof.

The workers were sent home for the day at lunchtime. Bosses said it was not clear at this stage when the factory would reopen. Five fire engines were sent to the firm, which makes and distributes Asian snacks, at 11.30am.

Eye-witness Alan Sinclair, who lives in an 11th floor flat overlooking the factory in Hobgate Road, described how he heard a loud bang before flames started leaping from the building.

“It just blew up. There was a huge explosion then there were flames coming out of three chimneys and the roof. They must have been rising six feet into the air and smoke was billowing out,” the 47-year-old electrician said. “It was pandemonium.”

Mr Sinclair told how he saw nine firefighters with breathing apparatus enter the building.

Operations commander Sarah Warnes said: “We had to work quickly to prevent the fire from spreading.

“We were able to contain it to the area around the fryer but it also affected the ventilation system and if residents heard a explosion it is more likely to have been that.”

Imperial Snacks was expected to be closed for at least the remainder of today