FIREfighters have been praised for saving 26 jobs this Christmas.

Print firm boss Sean Maynard said that if it had not been for the prompt and effective action of Cleveland Fire Brigade crews last week, layoffs would have run into double figures and a prestige order lost.

Firefighters were at the scene, in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, for nearly four hours. They used an unusual method to put out the blaze, which started at HSG Packing Cases but threatened the business next door, Mags Laser Documentation, in Nelson Street.

Crews tackled the flames using an infra-red video link-up with a police spotter plane to pinpoint the source of the fire.

The blaze was contained within a single unit at the end of a terraced block, but the HSG building eventually collapsed when the fire tore off the roof.

Meanwhile, eight fire crews fought to save Mags Laser. Now, company director Mr Maynard has donated £1,000 to the brigade's benevolent fund and written a letter of appreciation to Chief Fire Officer John Doyle.

He wrote: "When we arrived at our premises, we were met by a sight which almost brought tears to our eyes. The adjoining factory was ablaze and was about to spread into our units.

"In the next half hour we stood and watched a fantastically dedicated and focused group of men battle to get the blaze under control and I think, to everyone's surprise, keep our units upright.

"During the night we got back into our premises to rescue several very large print jobs and the next morning the new fire crew shift arrived and helped us in the clean-up operation."

The letter continued: "We realise that this is what firefighters do for a living, but without seeing it at first hand it is difficult to appreciate what their work means to others.

"We would have lost a £500,000 order and future work, which could have led to the laying off of up to 26 workers, possibly permanently if it was not for Cleveland Fire Brigade."

Divisional Officer Dave Bennett, who led the Nelson Street operation, said: "Everyone involved, firefighters, control room operators and the police who helped with infra-red imaging from an overhead aeroplane, will be pleased to know that their work helped to keep this company open for business as usual."

HSG, which employs six people, has already begun looking for alternative premises. The cause of the fire is being investigated.