The blaze broke out yesterday morning (29 July) at a car maintenance company located on Houstoun Industrial Estate in Livingston, Scotland.

The fire quickly took hold, with smoke seen for miles. Roads were closed and nearby businesses were told to evacuate by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service due to the extent of the blaze, with residents in the area also advised to keep doors and windows shut because of the amount of smoke.

Compack Cartons, located on Grange Road opposite the car workshop, had to evacuate its factory yesterday as a precaution, but the company is back in action again this morning.

A local source commented: “Fortunately Livingston fire station is close by, and crews were on the scene quickly.

“It was nothing like as bad as it could have been.”

Six appliances and a high-reach appliance were deployed to bring the fire under control.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 11.34am on Monday, 29 July, to reports of well-developed fire within a car body shop at Houston Industrial Estate on Grange Road, Livingston.

"Operations Control initially mobilised six fire engines and a high reach appliance to the scene.

"The building was evacuated and there were no casualties.

"The fire has now been extinguished, and two appliances remain at the scene with crews dampening down remaining hot spots.”

Compack Cartons produces a range of folding boxes, sleeves, and display packaging. The firm is part of the McLaren Packaging group of companies.

DS Smith Packaging also has a substantial operation on the same estate, located further to the north of the large industrial area.