One week after a ferocious fire ripped through an industrial estate destroying people’s livelihoods, business owners say they are determined to “pick up the pieces”.

Flames surged through White House industrial estate in Dancers Hill Road, Potters Bar on Monday, July 22, destroying everything in their path.

As firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, traders were left to survey the wreckage of collapsed buildings, burnt out cars and blackened trees.

Now one week on, their thoughts have turned to the future and how they can salvage the businesses they have worked tirelessly to build.

Jack Georgiou, 60, who had a business restoring Triumph TR6 engines, and Kevin Pope, 54, who owns Vroooom Automotive are among those looking for new sites to rebuild their businesses.

Mr Pope, of Enfield, set up his breakdown and recovery service 25 years ago.

Describing the moment he discovered the damage caused by the fire, he said: “Everything had completely gone or been melted. I lost everything.  It was terrible - just gut wrenching.”

Mr Pope estimates he lost £98,000 worth of tools and vehicles as well as a workshop containing computers and the business’s paper work.

Mr Pope’s 1968 Camaro sports car worth £65,000 was also burnt out in the fire.

He said: “It would be easy to put your head in the sand but that’s life. There’s no good crying about it – you have to carry on and that’s what we’re going to do.

“We’re desperately trying to find somewhere to move to in the area. We’ve put an advert on Gumtree and Twitter and had a look around but we haven't found anything yet.”

If you know a suitable place Mr Pope could rehouse his business click here to contact him.

A Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed the fire was started after one of the tenants in the estate left burning cardboard packaging unattended.

A 68-year-old man from Welwyn Garden City was arrested in connection with the fire and has since been bailed to return on August 16.