A BUSINESS could be about to rise from the ashes, four months after a fire gutted the premises.

Dave Cartmill, who runs the Haworth Street Garage, off Whalley Road, Accrington, has applied to Hyndburn Council to build a garage on the same site as his previous one.

Four months ago, he watched in horror as his garage, constructed of corrugated metal, burnt to the ground.

Fire officers believe the blaze started when a spark from a piece of welding equipment ignited fuel.

The result was a tower of black smoke which could be seen across Accrington.

An attempt by fire crews to save some of the building failed because they could not get enough water, fast enough, from a nearby water main.

Today, Hyndburn's development services committee was being asked to approve Mr Cartmill's plans to rebuild his garage, using bricks and tiles this time.

A spokesman for the council said: "Although this application is in a residential area, where we would not normally approve such projects, this is an established business which has never caused a nuisance to local people and we have received no objections."