A FIRE that broke out in an Essex factory was prevented from developing into a major incident by the “excellent work” of firefighters.A fire broke out in a plastics moulding factory in Swinbourne Drive on the Springwood industrial estate, Braintree, at about 9.

A FIRE that broke out in an Essex factory was prevented from developing into a major incident by the “excellent work” of firefighters.

A fire broke out in a plastics moulding factory in Swinbourne Drive on the Springwood industrial estate, Braintree, at about 9.30pm on Wednesday.

Two crews from Braintree and one each from Coggeshall and Hadleigh attended the scene and used breathing apparatus, a main jet and a hose reel to tackle the smoke-logged building, one of two on the site.

Rod Seaman, chairman of Morris Singer Art Founders, said “major damage” to the 15,000 square ft facility was avoided and the clean-up operation had been in full swing throughout yesterday.

He added: “The place was really black inside. We've spent all day cleaning up - everybody's working really hard.

“We're an extremely busy company and it's essential that we get back into production as soon as possible.”

He said he had a “brilliant team” and that things should be back to normal within a couple of days.

Station Commander Dave Moore said it was thanks to the “swift and decisive actions” of the first crews on the scene that the fire, which had potential to cause devastation, has been quickly extinguished.

He added: “Upon arrival crews quickly went into action tackling the blaze and got on top of the fire very quickly.

“The factory unit is used to make large scale latex models from mould and both the latex and the fibreglass mould fed the fire.

“The crews did some excellent work here and it is thanks to their hard work and professionalism that a major incident have been averted.”

The fire was extinguished by 11pm and yesterday an investigation into the cause of the blaze was launched.