The chief executive of a Worcester company has spoken out following a fire at a factory earlier today.

At around 7am fire broke out at one of the units of Aeromet International's factory in Cosgrove Close, Blackpole.

The company has confirmed that all staff were "promptly and safely" evacuated and nobody was injured in the fire.

Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service and West Mercia Police were both in attendance.

Chief Executive Howard Kimberley said: “We are indebted to the professionalism and skill of the men and women of Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service whose prompt actions meant that the fire was dealt with very rapidly. 

"We are also proud of the actions of our employees whose immediate response to the fire was exemplary.

“Our first priority is always the safety of our employees and they have been sent home for the rest of the day as a precaution whilst clean-up activity is undertaken in the affected area and all site systems are checked."

Worcester News: Staff were gathered at around 10am to be told they could return homeStaff were gathered at around 10am to be told they could return home

He added: "The area of the fire was localised to one discrete part of the factory, and we expect to recommence operations on Monday morning, once a full damage assessment has been undertaken.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be due to equipment failure.”

Aeromet manufactures alloy castings, primarily for aerospace applications, and employees 95 people at its Worcester facility.