Croft (Printers & Bookbinders) has vowed to get business back to normal as quickly as possible after a fire damaged its two-storey premises in south-east London.


Matthew Tabrem, a director of the trade finisher, said: "Were estimating and offering technical advice to clients advising on lay-downs and binding."


The loss of the firms machines due to fire, smoke and water damage means that production has stopped, but Tabrem hoped to have some capacity back by the autumn.


"In the interim were concentrating on replacing the machines and finding premises, although hopefully well come back here eventually," he added.


Eight fire appliances were called to the blaze at Broompleigh Business Park on 8 July. The fire started at 4.40am and was brought under control more than two hours later by 30 firefighters.


A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: "We believe the fire was started by one of the firms binding machines. A fire investigation officer was called to the scene, but police are not involved. The fires cause is not believed to be suspicious."


The spokesman said there was extensive damage to 50% of the ground floor, 25% of the first floor and 50% of the roof. The 1m-turnover companys equipment included a Wohlenberg Masterline 16station binder and two K76 folders.