Fire damages microbiology department at ILS
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to carry out an investigation to establish the cause
A fire has extensively damaged the microbiology department at International Laboratory Services (ILS), a UK provider of contract laboratory and pharmaceutical testing services based in Shardlow, Derbyshire.
The company said the fire service was called out at 01.20 yesterday (20 February) and the blaze was brought under control and contained within the building.
There were no people in the department when the fire was discovered and firefighters worked with members of the Health and Safety and site maintenance departments to ensure the safety of the rest of the facilities.
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service said 15 fire appliances attended the scene. The incident is not believed to be suspicious and a full investigation to establish the cause is underway. No-one was injured in relation to this incident, the fire brigade said.
Other facilities on the Shardlow Site, including animal rooms, were unaffected.
The company said senior members of staff implemented the full disaster emergency plan and contacted clients throughout the day.
The laboratories involved were being used for carrying out testing on foods and pharmaceutical products.
