A QUICK-THINKING worker saved a factory from catching fire.

A firefighter last night praised the employee for dousing flames at Sandtoft Roof Tiles in Heckmondwike.

Crews from Cleckheaton and Batley were called to the Smithies Lane factory at 4.15pm yesterday.

Cleckheaton watch commander Dave Rawnsley said: “There was an incident with a machine that makes synthetic roof tiles. The heating element caught fire and the flames spread to the insulation.

“An engineer raised the alarm and made sure everyone evacuated. He went back in and used fire extinguishers on the fire until we arrived.

“We were there for an hour and 20 minutes dealing with the fire.

“We had to dismantle part of the machine to make sure the fire was out.”

Watch commander Rawnsley praised the worker for stopping the flames from spreading.

“The actions of this individual saved the company thousands of pounds in damage and potentially saved jobs as well because the damage could have been a lot more serious,” he said.