ARSONISTS came within minutes of destroying a Kidderminster factory at the peak of its busiest season.

Campion Electronics, based on Worcester Road, was struck shortly before 3am on Friday when intruders scaled its perimeter fence and set alight to 150 wooden pallets piled next to a lorry.

The £10,000 truck - parked right in front of the 625 sq metre building - was also destroyed and the blaze spread to the factory and scorched its roof causing about £15,000 of damage.

No one was in the building at the time.

A passing motorist raised the alarm and five fire engines rushed to the scene and spent more than an hour getting the blaze under control. John Campion from Campion Electronics in Kidderminster with the lorry torched by arsonists.

Firefighters with breathing apparatus broke into the building to tackle the flames from inside.

Managing director John Campion said only the emergency service's quick response had averted a disaster - which would have crippled the firm's Christmas business.

"When we arrived at 3.30am we actually thought we'd lost the place. We were exceptionally lucky the fire crews attended so quickly with all the appropriate equipment," he said.

"It would not have been very long before the roof had caught. The whole building would have burnt down and we would have lost all our stock the week before Christmas.

"October, November and December are our best three months of the year."

He added: "It could have been a lot worse."

The company, which moved into the modern premises just two months ago, has been forced to hire vehicles to replace the destroyed lorry and another which lost its radio after it was broken into it with a crowbar.

"It all costs money," Mr Campion added.

The 15 staff, who recondition and sell ex-rental televisions and videos, have not been affected.

A Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade spokesman said the fire was being investigated.