THE Bentham-based Angus Fire Emergency Service was called into action following an explosion and multiple storage tank fire at an oil refinery in Spain.

Fire officers on the scene at the Repsol YPF refinery at Puertollano, south of Madrid, put out a call for emergency stocks of firefighting foam concentrate.

Foam stocks held on stand-by at Angus Fire's sister company Kidde Iberia, in Tarragona, were transferred to Puertollano immediately and extra supplies were ordered from the Bentham foam production facility - the largest of its kind in the world.

Jon Brittain, of Kidde Products, said: "Within four hours of receiving the call for help, Angus Fire had the foam stocks packed up and ready to go. However, chartering a suitable cargo aircraft to transfer it to Spain proved more difficult.

"Most cargo aircraft had been pre-booked for humanitarian aid flights to Iraq and Liberia. The situation was made worse by the fact that no aircraft were available from US suppliers due to widespread power cuts across North America.

"Undaunted, Angus Fire solved the problem by making arrangements for a Ukranian-registered Antonov, the largest heavy transport aircraft in the world, to be flown specially from Germany into nearby Manchester Airport. Less than 24 hours after the initial phone call, the aircraft was fully laden with foam stocks and on its way to Spain," said Mr Brittain.

More foam was sent by road with special authorisation from the French Embassy in London to travel through France on a Sunday.

Throughout the weekend the foam plant at Bentham was stepped up to 24-7 production to ensure additional stocks would be available to Repsol YPF if required, and to avoid any disruption to normal deliveries.

Mr Brittain said: "This latest incident further strengthens the proven track-record of success which Angus Fire has established in delivering urgently needed supplies of foam to major incident sites around the world."

Chris Milburn, managing director of Angus Fire, added: "Our people showed their true mettle that weekend. I am extremely proud of their dedication and professionalism."