A LAUNDRETTE is open as usual, despite a fire inside a dryer causing more than £5,000 worth of damage.

Firefighters were called to the laundrette, at 14 Rayne Road, Braintree at around 7.24pm on Sunday.

When crews arrived at the incident they found the terrace building was heavily smoke logged.

Crews had extinguished the fire by 9.57pm and remained on the scene to help clear the smoke from the building.

Stephen Hodgkinson, owner of the laundrette, said: “I got called out on Sunday at about 7.30pm and the day after I had lots of people getting everything checked over and checking it was safe to open again as soon as possible.

“There was a couple of gas companies in Braintree and some engineers who really helped.”

It is believed that the fire started inside one of the dryers, however the exact cause is currently being investigated.

Mr Hodgkinson said: “Someone was in there doing their washing and called the fire brigade as there was a problem in one of the dryers.

"We are open as usual but everything will have to be repainted and we need a new dryer.

“It is going to cost me about £5,000, it is crazy.

“We will be painting while the laundrette is still open, I am hoping that it does not have to close.”