BOSSES of a food distribution firm have vowed to rebuild their factory after a huge blaze burnt it to the ground.

More than 100 firefighters and twenty fire engines battled to extinguish the blaze at Kent Foods Limited, Christopher Martin Road, Basildon for more than 24 hours, after it broke out on Saturday night.

The firm’s bosses say they are planning to rebuild a new Essex site and are working to ensure disruption of distribution of foods is kept to a minimum.

The firm provides sdistribution of sugars, dairy products and other ingredients to food manufacturers throughout the country and Europe.

READ MORE >>> WATCH: Basildon food warehouse destroyed in huge blaze

Iain Dalglish, Chairman of Kent Foods, said: “The news that no one was injured during this fire is most welcome. Our staff have moved quickly to transfer operations to our five other depots ensuring that disruption to customers will be minimal, if any, whilst several suppliers have interrupted their bank holiday to ensure we are quickly restocked. I am grateful to them all for the resilience they have shown.

“We have formed a task force to liaise with our Basildon colleagues with a view to minimising the impact upon them until we can rebuild or establish a new base in Essex.”

“We are grateful to Essex Fire Service for their professionalism in the face of a challenging fire and to the Environment Agency and Anglian Water for reacting quickly to assist us in minimising any damage to the environment.”

Smoke was still rising from the collapsed building well into Sunday afternoon. It was surrounded by smashed glass as the windows blew out, showering shards of glass over the large, empty car park.

Molten sugar and other tar like substances from the building were splashed around the car park outside the firm.

Craig McLellan, who is now leading the incident, said: “Because of the scale of this site, there remains some hotspots that we have not yet reached within the collapsed material. We are therefore now working with the owners of the premises, the Environment Agency and Anglian Water to support both a safe demolition of the building and the containment of the hazardous materials.

“Thank you to everyone in the area for your patience.”