MARK NICHOLLS Fire caused extensive damage to the centre where the Eastern Daily Press is printed last night.Flames ripped through one of the six print press towers, halting production at the Archant Print Centre at Thorpe St Andrew on the outskirts of Norwich just before 9pm.

MARK NICHOLLS

Fire caused extensive damage to the centre where the Eastern Daily Press is printed last night.

Flames ripped through one of the six print press towers, halting production at the Archant Print Centre at Thorpe St Andrew on the outskirts of Norwich just before 9pm.

Archant Print managing director Nick Schiller said: "The guys did exactly as they should have done. They looked at the size of the fire and realised it was too big for them to tackle so they left the building and called in the professionals."

Two fire appliances were quickly on the scene, followed by two more after crews called for back-up.

Mr Schiller said there were up to 35 people evacuated from the building. It is not believed anyone was injured.

"We do not know what the cause is at the moment and we believe the damage is isolated, though there is water and smoke damage associated with the fire."

A contingency plan swung into operation in case the EDP had to be printed elsewhere.

Norfolk fire brigade's Greg Preston said the fire started on the first floor of the print tower and spread, activating a sprinkler system. Fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze, amid extensive smoke logging.

The fire was put out at 9.30pm.

Mr Preston said: "It has been a difficult fire because the fire was inside the machinery."

The EDP was reduced to one edition and there may be late deliveries in some areas, for which we apologise.