The fire at Airedale International Air Conditioning’s site in Rawdon, Leeds Road has now been contained and extinguished with local traffic returning to normal on Saturday morning, said the firm's managing director.

Upon detection of the fire at approximately 2.40pm 6/9/13, the site was promptly evacuated of all personnel without incident or injury. The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service arrived quickly and soon had the fire under control. Airedale is extremely grateful that due to early intervention, the fire service has been able to save sizeable parts of the premises.

Airedale is working with the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to ascertain the cause of the fire by way of a robust and thorough investigation. Further statements will be issued in due course.

Airedale expects to return to normal operating conditions within a rapid timeframe and wish to emphasise that field-based service and controls operations will be unaffected. We are still open for business to work with all of our partners in order to deliver best possible solutions. Data is secure and information systems accessible. Whilst the most critical areas of production have not been affected, contingency arrangements are being made for the main factory, warehouse and office operations.

Managing director, Clive Parkman, said: “We are firmly committed to our employees, customers, suppliers and local residents, and are doing everything in our power to return to normal operations as quickly as possible. I would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown us during this difficult time, via phone, email and social media. It has been exceedingly well received. “We are extremely proud of our very loyal and highly skilled workforce and I would like to reassure them that there will be no job losses as a result of the fire.” Airedale is asking staff not to arrive at work this coming week (W/C Monday 9/9/13) unless contacted directly. Further information will be provided thereafter. HR and their line managers will be updating them on an ongoing basis and employees are also encouraged to look at the website and local press during the course of the coming days.

Further updates will be provided on www.airedale.com