A clean-up operation was under way today as investigations continued into the cause of a fire which gutted a Kidderminster factory and sparked one of the Wyre Forest’s largest emergency operations in recent years.

Around 40 firefighters and eight fire engines were called in from across the region to help tackle the blaze at Hard Anodising, on Firs Industrial Estate, Oldington Way, yesterday.

Today the cause of the fire remains unknown fire investigators but investigators have ruled out foul play.

Crews said an operation to ensure chemicals used at the metal finishing plant or water used to tackle the blaze did not enter the nearby Staffordshire and Worcester Canal had been a success thanks to pre-planning and measures put in place by the firm.

Fire crews remained at the factory until around 6pm yesterday damping down to ensure the fire had not spread.