The fire broke out at 12.20pm in an ink room at the company’s Site 1 on Coopers Way, Southend-on-Sea, and is believed to be related to a build-up of static.

Production was halted until 2pm while the local fire service dealt with the incident and ensured the area was safe. The company’s three other sites, all also in Southend, continued operating as usual.

No production or storage facilities were affected by the fire and no one was hurt. The company added that no customers suffered delays either, due to the short loss of production time.

The foil and laminates specialist has robust evacuation and fire safety procedures in place, which were praised by Southend Fire Station crew manager Dave Farrant.

He said: “When we arrived all staff had safely evacuated the building and there was a single point of contact who we could liaise with, meaning we could quickly organise our crews and get to work.

“In addition there were fire doors which enclosed the fire to the room of origin, meaning the damage was confined to that room.

“It was the quick actions and organisation of this company that minimised damage and kept employees safe.”

The company serves a range of clients in the aluminium foil and carton printing markets. It has 55 staff and a turnover of £12m.