TWENTY five firefighters were called to tackle a fire at a factory.

The fire, at Explomould in Mill Lane, Arlesey, was reported shortly before 8am on Saturday when a passer by saw smoke and dialled 999.

Fire crews from Shefford, Biggleswade and Baldock were sent to the scene, as well as a water carrier from Kempston and an incident command unit from Leighton Buzzard.

The fire was in a single storey pre-fabricated building, measuring 20 x 5 metres, used for acid plating.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus used two hose reels and two jets to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading throughout the building.

The fire was brought under control at 10.19am, with 20 per cent of the premises damaged by fire, and smoke and heat damage throughout the building. The whole building was ventilated to clear the smoke.

The officer in charge of the incident, Andy Draper, station commander with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “There was a well developed fire in progress when we first arrived at the scene, and the crews had to work hard to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the whole building.

“We also had take into consideration the chemicals that are used in the production process within the factory and our hazardous materials advisor worked with the environment agency at the scene to ensure that the no noxious substances entered the water courses.”

The cause of the fire in currently being investigated.