A Herefordshire business has spoken out after a “harrowing” kiln fire which destroyed part of the site, leaving eight kilns badly damaged.

A major blaze broke out at Certainly Wood, in Lower Lulham in Madley on August 6. The industrial fire began in the kiln drying area, with 14 fire engines descending on the farm from several fire stations from Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Peterchurch Fire Service helped tackle the blaze, using three compressed air foam system jets and five main water jets. Peterchurch fire service helped tackle the blaze, using three compressed air foam system jets and five main water jets. (Peterchurch fire service)

The company said that the firefighters along with staff at Certainly Wood worked “tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading from the kiln building to the rest of the site” due to firewood and kindling stock being stored nearby.

Over 6,000 litres of water per minute were pulled from the river Wye to help tackle the blaze, after supplies from a nearby lake were not sufficient to continue the rescue mission.

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Jon Butlin, from the fire service said that: “We don’t have many big fires like this, but when we do, we are very much well prepared with the resources".

One of the business founders, George Snell, said it had been “a truly harrowing day", adding it was a "miracle" that the entire site was not damaged.

"On behalf of all at Certainly Wood, we want to thank the Hereford and Worcester fire brigade for their professionalism and for what they achieved in preventing an absolute catastrophe

 “Most importantly everyone is safe and well," he added.

Managing director of Certainly Wood Nic Snell said the business was “truly overwhelmed by the messages of support we have had from customers, suppliers, friends, competitors and industry stakeholders.

"All  eight kilns are massively damaged along with the boilers.

"This is truly heart breaking, but we know we have built a great business with amazing staff and we still have a long way to go.

"It has hit us all really hard, but we are very confident that given time, we will come back even stronger, providing our customers with quality products and a service they have come to expect from Certainly Wood”.