UPDATE: 100 firefighters tackled Wetherby warehouse blaze

Crews have been praised for containing the blaze at the Inspirepac warehouse on Sandbeck Lane.

At its height, 20 fire engines and more than 100 firefighters were battling the flames.

Dozens of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fought the fire inside the factory and, despite the difficulties presented by the complex internal layout and punishing conditions, they ensured the fire did not spread and the vast majority of the building was saved.

West Yorkshire Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling, who attended the incident as senior advisor, said: “Our tactics proved to be very successful as the vast majority of the building is still intact.

"Significant damage to machinery, equipment and stock was isolated to one half of the factory, therefore I am hopeful that the company will be able to recover business in the near future.”

CFO Pilling said the fire posed serious hazards to fire crews due to the intense heat and smoke. He added: “Crews worked extremely hard in punishing conditions at times and I was very impressed and pleased by the professionalism, commitment and determination of all who attended.”

Crews were initially called just after 8pm last night (Wednesday, 3 February). Stations in attendance were Wetherby, Harrogate, Cookridge, Hunslet, Featherstone, Wakefield, Knaresborough, Tadcaster, Stanningley, Shipley, Fairweather Green, Pontefract, Castleford, Moortown, Huddersfield, Leeds, Ossett, Rothwell, Dewsbury, Garforth and Killingbeck.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.