Firm confirms 'no-one hurt' during warehouse fire

The company said a fire "devastated" its head office and warehouse in Witham, Essex

The company whose building was destroyed in a fire is "incredibly thankful" to report that nobody was hurt.

On Friday, about 90 firefighters from 11 stations were sent to a warehouse on the Eastways industrial estate in Witham, Essex at 16:40 BST.

On a social media post, Dalebrook, the food display stands and catering equipment that owns the warehouse, said: "We're incredibly thankful that no-one was hurt in yesterday's fire at our Witham head office and warehouse.

"This site has been Dalebrook's home since 1994 and, while the loss is huge, our commitment to our customers and partners remains stronger than ever."

Firefighters said the blaze was in an industrial building measuring 80m (260ft) by 50m (165ft)

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service has recorded the cause of the fire as accidental.

'Like a volcano'

Forklift driver Eugene caught some footage on his phone

Forklift driver Eugene McCormack witnessed the scene on his way home from work.

"There's one of those hydraulic platforms where I could see two firemen on top spraying down on the top roof of the building, which didn't seem to be having an effect to be fair," he said.

"It just seemed [like] all it did was cause smoke, and still flames were coming out on the site.

"The most astounding thing about it was the amount of smoke... a horrendous amount. I've never seen anything like it — was like similar to a volcano in a way."

The 59-year-old lives nearby and could still smell the "horrendous" fumes on Sunday morning.

"It was like some sort of chemical that must have been burned."