FIREFIGHTERS were today still at the scene of a massive blaze that tore through a factory.

Atotal of 75 firefighters were called in to tackle the inferno at Eastbourne, described as the one of the worst fires the town has ever seen.

Stunned onlookers, many caught in traffic jams, watched as a cloud of dense black smoke rose hundreds of feet into the air.

Giant flames 30ft high could also be seen leaping from Norit Body Care in Brampton Road, at the heart of Eastbourne's industrial zone.

The blaze, reported by staff at around 4.50pm yesterday, quickly spread, threatening other nearby warehouses.

More than 200 staff at neighbouring electrical factory Boc Edwards were evacuated.

Despite fears that some employees were trapped at Norit, all 100 were eventually accounted for.

The firm is now counting the cost of the blaze, which wiped out thousands of pounds worth of materials, but staff were back at work today in parts of the factory not hit by the fire.

Shops in the area were evacuated over concerns that toxic smoke could harm customers.

And roads within a one mile radius were shut, causing severe delays to rush hour traffic.

Today firefighters are still damping down the fire that destroyed the steel framed warehouse and everything inside, including oil and petroleum based beauty care products.

The industrial estate has been reopened but police are advising workers in the area to keep windows closed to prevent dust from the fire site blowing in to offices.

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