A FOAM factory was destroyed in an hour yesterday when fire ripped through the building.

Crusader Foam, which makes cushions for upholstery specialists, caught fire at the Durham Lane Industrial Estate, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, at 1pm.

An employee spotted the blaze just after most of the 57 workers had gone to lunch, and she told her manager, who raised the alarm.

The building was evacuated and ten fire engines were fighting the fire at the height of the blaze.

The fire spread quickly among the foam, and within an hour the roof had collapsed. Only the offices remained intact.

Police shut off the road to the industrial estate so emergency vehicles could get through.

One witness, who works on the estate, said: "The fire was huge. The flames were licking the sky.

"We were getting phone calls from all over the place from people asking where the fire was. It could be seen all through Eaglescliffe and into Yarm."

Witnesses reported seeing the fire from as far away as Middleton St George, near Darlington.

Divisional Officer Alan Dixon said the cause of the blaze was still not known, and investigations were continuing.

He said: "In a very short space of time it built up into a huge fire because there were highly flammable substances inside.

"Fortunately, it was lunch time and there were only one or two people in the factory.

"There was a diesel tank at the back of the factory but we sprayed that with water and made it safe."

Workers took refuge in the neighbouring Tetley's factory while the fire was dampened down.

William Robinson, sales director, said: "The factory has burned down, but we anticipate being back up and running within five days.

"At this moment it is the best time of year, with the run-up to Christmas, and we are doing incredibly well, so we will be running again as soon as possible."