A TAKEAWAY boss is to defy a protection racket gang he believed firebombed his business and re-open.

Millon, Manchester Road, Haslingden, was gutted by fire in a blaze last month, hours after owners Komru Miah, 37, and Mashuk Ali, 35, locked it up for the night.

The attack led Mr Miah to claim he was being targeted by a protection racket gang charging £200 a week and making threats against his wife and children.

But just 17 days after the blaze following £25,000 of work, the takeaway is set to re-open tomorrow. (FRI) Mr Ali said: “It was devastating and we are anxious but we don’t want to let them win and people have been saying they cannot wait until we reopen again for business.

“We have completely refurbished the place and it all looks a lot better now than it ever did.

“We have had builders working over Christmas to get it finished for this week.

“The whole thing has been a nightmare. When we first got there after the attack we were walking through the premises and everything had to go in the bin.

“There was smoke everywhere. I have never had an experience like it before in my life.”

Mr Ali paid tribute to customers who he said have supported the pair .

He added: “The phones have been ringing non-stop since we closed and I have been telling customers what the situation is.”

Mr Ali and Mr Miah are also hopeful that on ongoing insurance will cover lost income, the refurbishment and staff salaries.

Detective Inspector Sion Hall, from Rossendale CID, said police were still appealing for witnesses following the attack on the premises, which occurred at around 3am on Monday December 15.

Anyone with information should call detectives on 01706 237444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.