CREMATIONS at the Rossendale Pet Crematorium, Crawshawbooth, were stopped today because of a late night fire.

The blaze destroyed part of the roof and also damaged the electric supply.

Fire crews from Rawtenstall and Haslingden were called to the pet crematorium and memorial gardens at 11.30pm last night.

Sub-Officer Nick Clough said the flue to the incinerator ignited the roof timbers of the single-storey building.

Receptionist Gill Birch said: "We are busy clearing up today. It will stop us carrying out any cremations today but we hope to be back to normal by tomorrow.''

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.