FIREFIGHTERS have saved parts of a Shildon factory ravaged by fire.
The fire happened on Thursday night at the Millennium Hardware factory on the Hackworth Industrial Estate.
The fire was spotted at about 11pm by a security guard, who was in the building. He escaped unhurt.
Five fire engines were sent to the factory and two remained at the scene until yesterday evening.
Michael Pearson, station manager for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This has been a fairly large fire, but thankfully nobody was hurt because of the time it started.
"Luckily, only one person was in the building at the time and he managed to raise the alarm.
"The factory contained a high amount of combustible materials, which will have aided the intensity of the fire.
"We made a fire break in the building and have managed to save half of it, but the other half is destroyed."
Investigations are continuing as there is no obvious cause of the fire.
It is not yet known what will happen to the business or when employees will be able to return to work.
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