THE boss at a joinery factory in Herefordshire has said that the cause of a fire that took hold at the site is a mystery, describing it as a "freak" incident.

The blaze was at the Taskforce Limited factory at Whitestone Business Park. The fire service has confirmed it was called at 1.47pm on Friday (April 26).

Four fire crews using four hose reel jets, one main jet, a nine-metre and triple extension ladder and the aerial ladder platform to tackle the blaze.

Three of the crews were from Hereford and one was from Worcester. They remained at the scene well into the evening, still dampening the site of the fire down and checking for hot spots.

But Taskworthy Limited boss Rhys Lewis said the fast action of the firefighters prevented damage being caused to buildings, and confirmed that no one was injured.

Mr Lewis said: "In reality, it was a minor incident. It was outside, so no buildings were damaged and nobody was injured. It hasn't affected our business. It has been business as usual from 6am this morning (Monday, April 29)."

Workers had to evacuate the building after the fire broke out, according to two witnesses at the scene. The witnesses also said that they had seen flames shooting out of a silo, where the fire seemed to be contained, when the fire crews were first called.

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Smoke continued to billow from the top of the silo for several hours after the fire broke out.

Mr Lewis added: "Firefighters don't know the exact cause of the fire. It's just one of those freaks of nature where we don't know why it happened."

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has been approached for an update.