A PINE firm wrecked in a £4million blaze may be operational again within a fortnight.

The fire started in the first-floor accessories department of the purpose-built 100,000sq ft Pine Direct warehouse, off Accrington Road, Rosegrove, Burnley last Thursday.

The company is planning to rebuild on the site, but in the meantime is looking to move into vacant premises. One building being considered is the former Lucas site off Rossendale Road (see picture).

Marketing manager Paul Hibbs said: "The Lucas factory is about 60,000sq ft and we are also looking at another premises which is about 120,000sq ft.

"We are hoping to be set up in the new premises within a couple of weeks."

The fire service's Burnley divisional commander, Mick Frankland, said the factory had been advised to fit sprinklers but had not heeded that recommendation. Mr Hibbs said he was not aware of what discussions took place between the architects and the fire service, but added: "I am sure fire prevention will be upper most in the design of the new building."

He said 30 of the staff had been transferred to work at the company's base at Scartop, Stanbury, near Haworth, where a temporary head office had been set up. The rest were on guaranteed wages and would be back working again as soon as the Burnley operation was running.

None of the 100-plus staff was injured in the fire but many lost personal possessions as the blaze quickly took hold. Filing cabinets with paperwork survived the blaze and the company had back-up computer disks in the safe, which it is hoped, have not been damaged.

Forensic and insurance assessors have been at the scene and the company is currently working on "Operation Phoenix", to raise the company out of the ashes.

General manager Ashleigh Pell said: "We saw all our efforts over the last three years go up in smoke. Today we all have our health, the sun is shining, we still have and will keep a fantastic team both in the office and in production, our customers are loyal and are all being contacted.

"Manufacturing of our redwood pine is unaffected and is being stepped up to fulfil outstanding orders and obviously create a large stock holding in the new premises. Supply of our imported ranges and two ranges of computer tables remains unaffected."

Human resource manager Tom Harding-Hill said: "Nobody will suffer from this setback. Wages and salaries are insured and all jobs are safe.

"We will not be relocating out of the area. Burnley has a great road and rail network with a large catchment area for staff with knowledge and practical experience of the furniture trade.

"We have simply lost a building and stock, the important resource we do have is professional people and an excellent supply chain which we have second to none.

Firefighters are still trying to find out the cause of the blaze.