Six crews rush out to tackle gigantic blaze coming through the roof of industrial unit

The single-storey building in Boxted Farm, Potten End – home to a glass-etching firm – was badly damaged, and so was the equipment inside of it.

Watch commander Jon Batchelor, from Hemel Hempstead Fire Station, said: “It is effectively closing down for business – at least for the immediate future.”

Mr Batchelor, who helped tackle the blaze, said adjoining properties were smoke damaged – but the fire damage was contained to the glass-etching firm’s building.

He said: “The fire went through the roof.”

Two fire engines from Hemel Hempstead helped put out the blaze, alongside one from Berkhamsted, one from Garston and one from St Albans.

The 999 call-out came in just before 7.20am and the fire had been put out by just before 9.15am. Nobody was injured.

It is not known what caused the fire, but it is not thought to have been anything suspicious.