The building contained the raw materials for Vegra dispersion coatings and fountain solutions, but Pomeroy's blanket conversion, barring facilities and consumables production have not been affected.

Sales director John Waters said: "Vegra made up a new batch for us the next morning and it was delivered within a few days. Although some competitors have been saying we've gone out of business, it's had no real impact as it was luckily away from our main building."

The fire was reported at 2.25am last Friday (9 August) and preliminary investigations have been unable to draw definite conclusions.

Although an electrical fault was the most likely cause, arson had not been completely ruled out, said Gary Philips, duty operations manager of Gloucestershire fire brigade.

Seventy fire fighters, 10 fire engines and seven special units, including a chemical incidents division, tackled the blaze.

Story by Rachel Barnes