A huge blaze ripped through businesses on a Teesside industrial estate.
Firefighters were called to the timber yard of Rembit Timber on Bon Lea Industrial Estate in Thornaby last night.
The blaze, which is thought to have been accidental, quickly spread to a neighbouring commercial car garage and a scaffolding yard.
In total, 20 tonnes of timber, offices and three cars - a transit van, a Lexus and a Citroen Xsara - were destroyed.
Stephen Hoyle, 46, from Norton, is the owner of Rembit Timber.
Examining the aftermath of the blaze he said: “It could have been a lot worse.
“The thing that made it so damaging was that the fire brigade couldn’t get into the locked containers to put out the fire inside.
“It’s hard to tell how much the damage will cost. When you think about loss of business, the timber and the machinery it’s easily £40,000.
“I do want to thank the fire brigade as well as everybody who has came down today to help us with the cleaning up.
“Our landlord has lent us a digger to help clear the yard - once we’re cleared up we’ll be able to see where we are.”
Crews were called to the scene, at the rear of Wilson Street and Princess Street, at 10.04pm.
Five fire engines from Middlesbrough, Stockton and Thornaby attended at its height.
Gil Oram, 64, from Thornaby is the owner of Quality Wrought Iron which backs onto Rembit Timber.
He said: “I was in my pyjamas at home when I got a call from the fire brigade at about 10.30pm.
“They couldn’t get access to the site. I only live in Thornaby away so I was only five minutes.
“When I got here the smoke was just belching out and the flames were huge and the container was actually red with the heat.”
Middlesbrough Fire Station watch manager Alan Pierson said: “It was a fair sized fire.
“We believe it had started in some timber offcuts which had been burnt. It then spread through two 40ft shipping containers which were used as offices and 20 tonnes of timber.
“It was quite windy so the fire was then driven through into two other properties - a scaffolders yard and a commercial car garage.”
“I think it is accidental as there were no signs of break-in but we will be heading back there today,” he added.
“The best advice we can give is that if you do have open fire to make sure that it is extinguished before leaving site.”
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