The York-based printer formerly known as Maxiprint has avoided thousands of pounds of losses thanks to a quick-thinking policeman, who happened to be in the area, calling the fire brigade.

The fire was created using waste paper bins that had been left out for collection five metres from the offices. The perpetrators moved them to the office walls and set them alight.

"Luckily they placed them next to the newer, extended part of the
building, where the fire proofing is better," said co-owner Darren Avey. "If they had moved to them to the older part where all the equipment is, this would have been an absolute disaster."