Workers flee van fire

Two women had a lucky escape today after their mobile food van burst into flames at an industrial estate in Cannock.

The Full Monty food van, which had a number of gas canisters inside, was destroyed in the blaze at the Cocksparrow Lane Industrial Estate, Huntington.

Both of the caterers were inside the van when the fire started just after 8am and had just seconds to escape the flames.

Witnesses described the raging fire, which rapidly spread to a neighbouring warehouse, saying flames reached a height of more than 15ft.

Firefighters from Cannock fought to bring the fire under control in the food van and inside the Victoria Discounts warehouse which was badly damaged.

An investigation has been launched but it is believed a gas leak may be to blame.

Senior officers from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service today said the two women were lucky as the van could have exploded.

Ian Housley, from South Staffordshire Area Command, said: "The two ladies have said they felt sick this morning which suggests there was a small gas leak. They lit the burners as usual and things went from bad to worse very quickly.

"Had there been a pocket of gas trapped in there then there could have been an explosion and the two women would not be here to talk about it now."

He added: "There is an issue about the proximity of the food van to the neighbouring units and we do advise people to keep things like that away from buildings."

Eyewitness Richard Beedell, aged 38, said: "The flames were 15 or 20ft high at one point and there were one or two explosions inside."