Fifteen fire crews from across the West Midlands fought to contain a blaze at two Birmingham warehouses in the early hours of Friday morning.
No one was hurt but 18 firefighters had to wear breathing apparatus in order to enter the buildings at the Brandon Tool Company, Constitution Hill, Hockley.
Fire Brigade spokesman Mike Fox said 40 per cent of the warehouses were alight when crews arrived at 1.45am.
"It is fair to say that the buildings have been extensively damaged," he added
The crews struggled for almost three hours to put the fire out.. Surrounding roads were closed to traffic, but were re-opened in time for the Friday morning rush hour.
Structural engineers are continuing to check the remainder of the warehouses and two crews stayed on site to dampen down and mount a salavage operation.
Mr Fox added: "Thankfully, no one was hurt. Investigations into how the fire started are continuing."
