Stafford fire: Company boss apologises as firms count cost of damage

Businesses were today counting the cost of the inferno that erupted at a Stafford warehouse.

Fire bosses continue to investigate the cause of the blaze at industrial cleaning factory Global Hygiene that on Wednesday sent balls of flame hundreds of feet into the air while explosions blasted around Astonfields Industrial Estate.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue investigators were still sifting through the charred remains of the building today and looking through CCTV footage obtained from local firms for clues as to how the blaze started. They are expected to be at the site for another week.

IN VIDEO and PICTURES: Major fire breaks out on Stafford industrial estate
Stafford fire: Roads reopen as probe into cause of devastating inferno continues

The devastation left by the huge blaze, which saw residents' homes as well as businesses and two schools evacuated

The gas supply was returned to a row of around 10 houses closest to the scene late yesterday, 36 hours after it was switched off when the factory's internal gas pipes ruptured, causing leaking gas to fuel the flames.

Businesses, homes and two nearby schools were evacuated as the fire took hold and great plumes of acrid smoke – which could be seen 15 miles away – engulfed the neighbourhood.

An exclusion zone remains around the site but is reduced

Emergency services could be on site for up to a week

The fire service still have two appliances at the scene – down from 10 at the fire's height – as a combination of smoke and steam continues to rise from the blackened rubble. Director of response Rob Barber said: "We are carrying out a joint investigation with police to determine the cause of the blaze and are working with partners as part of the recovery operation."

Supt Steve Morrey, from Staffordshire Police, said the exclusion cordon had been 'significantly reduced' and road closures lifted.

The Environment Agency has sent a team to examine various sites for potential pollution arising from the fire, including damage to wildlife in nearby Marston Brook.

Staff used tankers to pump oil from the River Sow and helped clear up other sites. A special air quality monitoring team was also sent out into the local area to measure the smoke impact.

Public Health England is monitoring the air quality, which has returned to normal

Dr David Kirrage, for Public Health England, reported that air quality had returned to normal background conditions but they would continue to monitor the situation. He said: "Despite continued low level burning on site, the plume is much reduced and has dispersed into the atmosphere. In light of this, there is currently no increased risk to public health."

Stafford Borough Council staff, who arranged overnight accommodation for residents evacuated by the fire, visited them after they returned to their homes yesterday.

Spokesman Will Conaghan said: "We will be working with the businesses that were directly affected by the fire to offer support."

Council cleaners have been clearing up around the site

Support is being offered by Stafford Borough Council to those affected by the fire

Council cleaners have been clearing up the streets around the site. Leader of Staffordshire County Council Philip Atkins said: "Following yesterday's fire in Stafford, we can confirm that the two schools closed as a precautionary measure are now open."

Some businesses received a call from Global Hygiene owner Colin Jones to find out if they had been affected and to apologise. Paul Walters, of Stafford Industrial Supplies, said: "He's such a gentleman."

Other companies lost at least a day's trade.

Charlotte Minn, 30, of Squires Electrical, said their internet connection was lost because of the fire and they have had to work from the owner's home.

Last night the firm would not comment.