Firefighters tackle blaze at warehouse in Wolverhampton
[gallery] A devastating fire reduced a sofa manufacturer in Wolverhampton to rubble, with 30 firefighters tackling a fire 50 ft high at its peak.
The huge fire at the Lanesfield-based business on the Spring Road Industrial Estate took two hours to subdue.
It took hold at 1am and crews are still at the scene securing the unit after the building's roof collapsed.
But the wholesale sofa firm has been completely destroyed.
Watch commander Warren Davies from Wolverhampton Fire Station said: "The whole building's been totally destroyed.
"It was totally engulfed when we got there and the roof and the building were starting to collapse.
"It was pretty rapid and very intense – the flames were 50ft high at their peak."
Firefighters will remain at the scene until this afternoon at the earliest.
Watch Commander Davies added: "The buildings either side were well protected and that was one of our main concerns - to minimise the damage as much as possible.
"The fire took two hours to put out in total and we had 30 firefighters there.
"There was a lot of upholstery and furniture which heightened the intensity.
"We will have people there until at least this afternoon to dampen the building down and make it completely secure."
The firm, which has seven staff, is next to a cafe and opposite Tyres 'R' Us.
It opened a year ago and four partners run the business.
The landlord of the building, who asked not to be named, spoke of his devastation at the fire.
He said: "We were called by people nearby who worked for a taxi firm, we found out at about 2am.
"I couldn't believe what I saw when I got here - the place was ablaze and is completely gutted.
"We've been a year and worked so hard to get this business up and running.
"Things have been going good but now our future is uncertain.
"I've had to phone the staff up this morning to tell them not to come in."
The landlord added: ""The firefighters here have worked through the night - they've worked so hard and we're very thankful to everything they've done."
"Obviously it's too early to tell what caused the fire.
"At the moment we're just waiting for more information."
