THIRTY-FIVE firefighters tackled a blaze at a tyre factory in Melksham on Friday night.

Sprinkler systems helped contain the fire at Cooper Tires in Bath Road. The fire, which broke out in a rubber-processing machine, spread through ventilation ducts and filters.

Crews from Warminster, Melksham, Devizes, Trowbridge and Chippenham were called to the Bath Road factory at 10.45pm.

Five firefighters were taken to hospital for precautionary checks after inhaling fumes.

Divisional officer Simon Routh-Jones, in charge at the scene, said: "The damage caused by direct burning has been contained in the machinery, and it is clear that the operation of sprinklers has saved the factory from a substantial loss."

The cause of the blaze is being investigated by the fire brigade and the company.