Firefighters hailed for halting spread of huge factory blaze

At its height, around 60 firefighters with 10 fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were at the blaze at the Envelope Master site in Aldwarke Lane.

The fire was so severe that, at one point, a stop was put on the nearby rail line as a precaution.

Crews from around South Yorkshire were called to the fire at 10.40pm, and their first job was to protect the nearby Candle Craft and Tech Spray industrial units which were just five metres from the Envelope Master site.

Station manager Rick Rolt said yesterday: “When I arrived I thought there was no way they would save those buildings but they did – there are people going to work in them this morning.

“I’d give massive praise to the crews, who have done incredibly well. Those neighbouring buildings suffered only minor damage, such as fascia damage.”

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “The Envelope Master building has been destroyed, but all its night shift staff were evacuated safely, and there have been no reports of any injuries at the incident.

“It was scaled back to five appliances at 4.30am.

“Crews were continuing to fight the fire on Wednesday morning.”

A fire investigator made an initial visit to the site yesterday and is set to return to consider his investigations once the blaze has been fully extinguished.