STAFF and volunteers worked over the weekend to ensure that a Sheppey factory could open for business today after fire caused £150,000 worth of damage to the premises.

Fire officers are still investigating the blaze which destroyed part of Medichem International in Rushenden Road, Queenborough, on Saturday morning. The firm makes disinfectant and sterilisation equipment.

Managing director Tom Allsworth, who lives nearby, was alerted by a local man who saw smoke pouring from the building’s roof as he was driving home from work at 2am. Mr Allsworth, who arrived at the factory at the same time as the fire brigade, said crews managed to contain the fire to one section of the factory.

He added: “Investigators have ruled out foul play. Early indications are that the fire started in an industrial waste bin.” An area five metres square was damaged by the fire which took firefighters two hours to put out.

Mr Allsworth added: “I was extremely touched by the response of my employees, friends and relatives who gave up their weekend to ensure that we were were open for business."