ALERT neighbours living close to the Brownlow Business Centre in Halliwell helped to save a furniture assembly firm from going up in smoke.

The residents called out firefighters after spotting smoke coming from Kaan International after a firework had been thrown through an extractor fan at the company, just after 7.30pm, last night.

Firefighters and the firm's manager Keith Souders praised local residents for raising the alarm. He said it appeared the fire alarm protecting the business unit failed to activate.

The fire was confined to a paint spray booth at the unit, although stock in a next door room was water damaged after the sprinkler system was activated.

Crews from Bolton North and Bolton Central fire stations were at the scene for three hours.

The White Watch crew from Bolton Central fire station thanked watchful neighbours and said their prompt action had stopped the blaze from spreading to other premises.

Mr Souders said police are investigating the cause of the blaze after a fire cracker was found in the paint spray booth.

He said: "I've also been told that youths had been seen throwing fire crackers in the area before the fire.

"There was a fire alarm at the premises although it could be that it was not functioning correctly."

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