A BUILDING in a Basingstoke business park was evacuated after a piece of machinery caught fire.

Fire crews were called to Labcold, a manufacturer of medical and laboratory refrigerators and freezers in Chineham Park, just after midday today.

A total of 37 people were evacuated before more than 40 firefighters tackled the flames. Nobody was injured.

Ian Wadmore, station commander at Basingstoke fire station, said the fire started accidentally in a laser 3D printer in a corner of a room in the industrial unit.

He said: β€œIt was very heavily smoke logged in the whole room and a bit of insulation on the mezzanine floor above the printer was causing large volumes of thick black smoke.”

Firefighters fought the fire from a window before making their way inside. An aerial ladder platform was also used.

Mr Wadmore said there was smoke damage to parts of the building, and also praised the company for its fire procedures and evacuation of the building.

A total of six pumps, from Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Odiham, Overton and Rushmoor, attended the fire. The fire was put out by 1.45pm.