Fire-ravaged Leeds company still open for business

Scores of firefighters spent several hours fighting the blaze at Airedale International Air Conditioning’s site in Rawdon, Leeds Road, on Friday. Huge plumes of smoke dominated the skyline, and the A65 was closed for several hours while firefighters fought the blaze.

The site was quickly evacuated and there were no injuries.

Investigations into the cause were continuing last night. Employees at the firm have been told not to come into work this week unless contacted directly.

The firm’s managing director, Clive Parkman, said: “We are doing everything in our power to return to normal operations as quickly as possible. I would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown us during this difficult time. We are extremely proud of our very loyal and highly skilled workforce and I would like to reassure them that there will be no job losses as a result of the fire.”

A statement from the firm added that all its information systems were unharmed and still accessible, adding: “We are still open for business.”