TWENTY process workers on the night shift escaped unhurt when fire broke out Smith and Nephew's Brierfield mill, Glen Way, early today.

The fire filled a locker and changing room with smoke which spread to other rooms in the works.

Leading Firefighter Tony Spencer said: "The workers evacuated safely when the fire alarm was sounded."

The incident happened at 4.50am when one of the women workers opened the changing room door and was confronted by a wall of black smoke.

Mr Spencer said: "She activated the alarm at the nearest call point and they rang us."

Four firefighters in breathing apparatus went in the smoke-filled room and found that the fire had started in a fluorescent light fitting.

That had melted the plastic fitting which had dropped down starting a fire on the floor.

After putting the blaze out the firefighters used a ventilation machine to clear the smoke so that the workers could return.