Little left to salvage from village site after major fire devastated vehicle workshop

A car workshop is counting the cost of a major blaze in Mawdesley which raged for over four hours on Friday morning.
Pic credit: RB MotorsportsPic credit: RB Motorsports
Pic credit: RB Motorsports

Staff at RB Motorsports said that “99 per cent of everything was destroyed” by the flames on May 19.

Dozens of firefighters battled the fire at an industrial unit in Dark Lane which started at around 4.45am.

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Eight fire crews – 40 firefighters – were called to assist to help extinguish the blaze.

Pic credit: RB MotorsportsPic credit: RB Motorsports
Pic credit: RB Motorsports

Stock handler at RB Motorsports Mark Cardwell told the Guardian: “Pretty much everything was damaged, including seven or eight cars, stock and tools.

“Hopefully when the insurers and assessors come we will get a bit of an insight into how much we have actually lost.

“We have not been allowed inside so we haven’t really had a look at what we might be able to salvage.”

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Firefighters had used their new ‘Stinger’ to target water jets at the fire, which was described by firefighters as “well established” when they arrived.

Pic credit: RB MotorsportsPic credit: RB Motorsports
Pic credit: RB Motorsports

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Initially four pumps were called to the scene but this was increased to eight pumps.

“We used a brand new piece of equipment called a Stinger which penetrates the walls with spikes and targets water through the walls to the source of the fire.”

A RB Motorsports spokesman issued a statement on the company’s Facebook page following the fire.

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It said: “Not sure on the full extent of the damage but as it is clear by pictures - 99 per cent of everything has been destroyed unfortunately along with customers’ cars which we are most upset about.

Pic credit: RB MotorsportsPic credit: RB Motorsports
Pic credit: RB Motorsports

“It’s going to be a long time before were up and running again.

“Two things we’re thankful for is that no one has been hurt and secondly for all of the help and effort that has been offered by everyone involved.

“We are well and truly thankful for everyone’s efforts and help we’ve received.”

Nobody was injured during the blaze.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established and a fire investigation is underway.

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