Firefighters save Wigan timber business

Crews were called to Moran's Wood Components Ltd, which makes luxury wooden boxes and bespoke wood packaging, on Millingford Industrial Estate at 7.45am.

"The crews worked hard and did an excellent job - the owner of the business has been there with us throughout the morning and couldn't thank us enough for saving his workshop and all his machinery," said Steve Sheridan, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters had to break through walls to gain access to all areas of the fire, while the smoke plume could be seen from around eight miles away.

The cause of the blaze, which destroyed the packaging area and some cars, is yet to be established.

Moran's, established more than 30 years ago and which employs about 50 staff, makes a wide array of products, including wooden menu and wine list covers for the pub/restaurant trade, tariff boards, luxury boxes and tabletop items.