A Telford factory was virtually destroyed when a blaze ripped through the building, sending flames soaring through the roof.

More than 30 firefighters spent two hours battling the fire at Telford Laundry in Halesfield. Crews had to break through a roller-shutter door at the rear to get into an office area of the premises, which was closed at the time.

Once inside, they fought to bring the fire under control and prevent it spreading to adjacent businesses, which were filled with smoke.

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Station manager Aubrey Thomas, incident commander, said today about 35 firefighters from five fire stations were involved in the operation to extinguish the flames at the height of the blaze.

Crews also used an aerial ladder platform to tackle the fire from above.

The cause of the fire, which damaged 70 per cent of the building, is unknown and is under investigation.

A passer-by spotted the fire and raised the alarm shortly before 10.50pm yesterday.

Police also attended the scene.

Telford Laundry is a family-owned laundry and textile rental business, catering for hotels and restaurants.

Paul Woodhead, company owner, said the first he knew of the fire was when a member of staff arriving for work at 7am today called him.

He said he had invested 20 years of his life in the business and everyone was shocked to find the building so damaged.

Mr Woodhead said: “I live just over two miles away so I got in quickly. We have never had a fire here and take the upmost precautions.

“The building is gutted, we can’t even go inside.”

Only the stock outside the premises was undamaged by the fire.

Mr Woodhead said his 30-strong staff members were back at work, with the company temporarily relocating to its former premises in Tweedale.

He said: “We belong to a trade association and there are 50 laundries across the UK which have immediately stepped in to help us.”

He added: “The next stage for us is finding some new premises in the long-term as the Tweedale factory isn’t big enough for us.”

By Catherine Roche and Lisa Rowley