A PONTYPOOL laundry service ravaged by fire last week has heaped praise on its workforce, for helping the business operate as normal despite the catastrophe.

Fire crews were called to Snow White Laundries Ltd on Clarence Road, which was well alight just before 6am on Wednesday (Dec 3).

The blaze destroyed a section of the roof of the single-storey building and caused extensive damage to the loading bay where thousands of linen, mainly for commercial customers, was housed in laundry cages.

But Leighton Milling, the managing director of the company, said the response from workers had been second to none.

"Despite the fire damaging part of the linen sorting area at our Pontypool factory, our services are being provided as normal thanks to the dedication of all our staff, who are working together to maintain the punctuality of our service by operating out of our Cardiff factory.

"The clean up has begun at the Pontypool factory, which is currently still being used as head office and distribution centre.

"The support offered by our customers, suppliers, friends and family has been overwhelming

"But the biggest thanks goes to our staff who've proved that a businesses biggest asset really is its people."

Two people were evacuated from nearby homes as a precaution when the blaze broke out.

The family business has operated from the premises since the late 70’s.

A nearby resident reported seeing flames billowing around six feet into the sky as crews from Abersychan, New Inn, Cwmbran and Abercarn tackled the blaze using breathing equipment and hose reel jets.

No staff were on site at the time the fire started.

Gwent Police closed the road to traffic for a short-time and re-opened it 8.30am.

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Service say they believe the fire was started accidentally.