THREE businesses have been put out of action after a blaze ripped through their premises.

The car maintenance firms in Bacup suffered extensive damage.

Around 30 firefighters tackled the four-hour inferno which also destroyed two cars, dozens of tyres and at least £50,000 of tools.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known but fire investigators believe it was accidental.

Yesterday owners were counting the cost of the damage as the buildings were secured.

Jamey Tallents, 29, who owns MJ Autos, spoke of his devastation.

He said: “I might have lost all the tools I’ve collected over the past four years of working.

“There was £50,000 worth of tools. Luckily, the firefighters managed to get the money out of the safe, which wasn’t damaged.

“I got a call from a neighbour of the unit at about 11pm, saying they could see smoke coming from the building.

“I came straight here and stayed until 5am, watching the fire burning and the firefighters trying to put it out.

“I’ve lost at least a full week of work I had booked. It hasn’t happened at a great time either, with Christmas coming.

“I’m just hoping that the insurance will cover it. I don’t know what I’ll do if not. I’ve never had a break in or anything like this before.”

Peter Salt, 49, owns PC’s Tyres and Exhausts, off Rockcliffe Road, which was completely gutted in the fire which started around 11pm on Tuesday. He said: “I got a call just after midnight from somebody that lives on Rockcliffe Road. I knew they wouldn’t be ringing at that time if there wasn’t something wrong.

“When I was driving down, I was thinking ‘I hope it isn’t my business’, but it was.

“It’s really saddening, but I’m going to start again. I’ve been going 20 years.”

The businesses including a third unit, Murf’s Body Shop, were moved to the council-owned units in Heys Street Industrial Estate in September last year by Rossendale Council to make way for the construction of Bacup Morrisons.

Station manager Neil Mark, of Rawtenstall Fire Service, said: “We are investigating the cause of the fire. The premises were very secure.

“We had a real struggle trying to get into the unit. The premises were heavily smoke logged and the crew withdrew.

“In order to tackle the fire, they gained access to the unit, which is when the fire began to develop quickly.”

A spokesman for Rossendale Council said: “The council’s property services team is securing the site and liaising with tenants not able to trade with possible temporary accommodation alternatives.

“Our insurers have been informed and we await their instructions. We do not have any cost estimates for repairs for the buildings, which date back to the early 1980s.”

A police spokesman said: “The fire remains unexplained at this stage, pending further fire examination.”