A school has closed and a city council has urged the public to be cautious after a blaze tore through a derelict factory containing asbestos.

The former Van-Dal shoe factory in Norwich, Norfolk caught alight on Monday evening (January 20) with firefighters working through the night.

Dramatic videos show the blaze engulfing the former factory with 17 fire crews tackling the flames until 2.30pm on Tuesday (January 21).

Norwich City Council have warned locals about handling ash and debris in the surrounding area as asbestos was present at the site.

Green Party councillor Gary Champion, also advised residents to wear protective gloves if it was 'absolutely necessary' to remove debris.

Nearby George White Junior School remains closed for a second day (January 22) 'as a precautionary measure'.

Asbestos, once widely used in building materials for its fireproofing properties, was banned in the UK in 1999 due to health risks.

When damaged or disturbed, asbestos fibres can be released into the air, posing risks of lung disease and cancer if inhaled.

Initial air quality tests at the former factory and surrounding areas showed no significant levels of asbestos in the air.

But those living withing an 80 metre radius of the site were advised to avoid the site entirely, keep doors and windows shut and not touch any debris that may have come from the site.

Brendan Hardy, 39, said the site has been a hot spot for antisocial behaviour since he moved there six years ago, two weeks after the factory closed.

He said: "My wife's had to call the police twice recently."

"There's kids down there on pretty much a nightly basis."

"They climb over the sides and get in and are often throwing stones through the windows and things like that. "

"We've seen plenty of adults in there as well. I once saw a bunch of guys in camouflage with BB Guns playing games in there."

Mike Coe, 74, who lives in Romany Road, said neighbours alerted each other to the fire.

He said: "A neighbour came knocking on doors. I went out and saw the flames from my garden."

"You could smell the smoke but you could also sort of taste it."

Mike's neighbour, Adrian Monksfield, 52, added: "The smoke and fumes felt strong. God knows what we got into ourselves. "

"It just happened that the wind was coming this way and we got the worst of it."

The Dibden Road site was once home to the Florida Group's Van-Dal shoe factory, which had been a staple of Norwich's manufacturing industry since 1936.

After the factory closed in 2018, the building fell into disrepair.

Despite plans for a housing development, including new proposals re-submitted recently, the site remains derelict and unsecured.

Further air and ground testing will continue today.