A huge fire has ripped through a paper processing plant in Crayford.
Firefighters spent 16 hours battling the inferno at the company PHS Datashred in Acorn Road Industrial Estate on Tuesday (July 26).
The data shredding machine at Unit J of Datashred was damaged in the blaze
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) started tackling the blaze at 7.44am with six fire engines and 35 firefighters on hand to beat back the flames.
After a long and drawn out battle, fire crews from Bexley, Erith, Sidcup and Plumstead fire stations stood down at 11.45pm, satisfied that that all “hot spots” had been extinguished.
The company’s shredding machine was damaged in the inferno meaning that the centre would mostly likely be out of action for a few days after the fire, the company confirmed.
Six members of staff were evacuated before the flames picked up and no one was injured.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, the LFB has confirmed.
Firefighters spent 16 hours battling the inferno at PHS Datashred
A spokeswoman for LFB said: “At the height of the incident, six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers were in attendance.
“Part of a paper processor was damaged by the blaze.
“Six members of staff evacuated before the Brigade arrived.”
The Crayford company at Unit J, prides itself in providing "professional confidential shredding services" across London.
A spokesman for PHS Datashred said: “We are still in the process of evaluating the extent of the fire damage to the shredding machine and surrounding equipment, but it is likely that this particular centre will be out of action for a few days.
“All affected customers are being serviced as normal as the vehicle fleet was unaffected by the fire.
“The processing of the paper is being carried out to the same level of security at alternative Datashred sites in accordance with our Business Continuity Plan.”
Anthony Pearlgood, MD, at Datashred, added: “I would like to say a big thank you to the London Fire Brigade crew for their rapid response, and their excellent support throughout the day whilst the incident was investigated.
“I can reassure our customers that our services remain operational.”
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