An industrial oven caught fire at a Watford business park this afternoon forcing members of staff to evacuate the premises.

Firefighters were called to extinguish flames pouring out of the ten foot by 15 foot cooker at the industrial estate in Tolpits Lane at about 2.30pm.

Crew commander at Watford Fire Station Neil Nash said up to six members of staff had evacuated the building when firefighters arrived. He said: “Our biggest problem was the amount of steam being created when we tried to put it out. The oven was obviously so hot that we had to make sure the water was actually putting the flames out.”

It is believed the oven is used to bake cakes and pastries for a number of London hotels.

The incident was attended by firefighters from Watford and Rickmansworth who left the scene at about 4.30pm.