A Rawdon company that suffered a devastating blaze has pledged that no job losses will result.

Up to 100 firefighters tackled the blaze at Airedale International Air Conditioning last Friday – and their efforts have also been praised by company bosses.

Managing director Clive Parkman said everything was being done to return the company to normal and, although the majority of staff based at its Leeds Road premsies have been told to stay off work until instructed, it was still very much open for business.

He said: “We are firmly committed to our employees, customers, suppliers and local residents, and are doing everything in our power to return to normal operations as quickly as possible. I would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown us during this difficult time, via phone, e-mail and social media. It has been exceedingly well received. We are extremely proud of our very loyal and highly skilled workforce and I would like to reassure them that there will be no job losses as a result of the fire.”

A detailed probe into what caused the fire, which broke out in the early afternoon, is continuing. Mr Parkman added: “Airedale is extremely grateful that due to early intervention, the fire service has been able to save sizeable parts of the premises. Airedale is working with the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to ascertain the cause of the fire by way of a robust and thorough investigation.”

He said the company expected to return to normal operating conditions within a “rapid timeframe” and he wanted to emphasise that field-based service and controls operations were unaffected.

“We are still open for business to work with all of our partners in order to deliver best possible solutions,” Mr Parkman said.