BOSSES at a Bolton factory were surveying the damage today after a fierce blaze ravaged the building.

Sixty firefighters tackled the fire at the long-established Bolton business last night.

At its height, 10 fire engines and four auxiliary vehicles were called to the fire at camping equipment manufacturer Top Gear Manufacturing Company (Sports) Ltd on Ulleswater Street, Astley Bridge.

The fierce heat meant officers could not enter the building initially after the brigade had received a 999 call from the manager at the nearby Astley Grange nursing home, who had spotted plumes of smoke.

Last night the incident commander, Divisional Officer Phil Nuttall, admitted there had been concerns the flames could spread to the nursing home, but firefighters had managed to isolate the blaze in time. No elderly residents had to be evacuated but today an employee at the Blackburn Road home confirmed managers had put in place provisions for residents to be moved to another residential home if needed.

It was two hours before the factory blaze was brought under control, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using jets to quell the flames. Officers also smashed first floor windows to clear smoke.

Sub Officer Ian Medcalf, from Bolton North fire station, confirmed the flames and heat had caused extensive damage.

He added: "It seems that virtually everything is lost, whether they can salvage anything will have to be seen. The intense heat means everything has turned black.

"The heat inside the building was phenomenal at the height of the fire."

The camping equipment manufacturers has been based at the premises for the last 36 years.

And last night John Middleton, managing director of the company, admitted it was too early to assess the scale of damage.

He added: "The first I knew of this was when I got a call at home from the alarm company to say the alarm had gone off.

Damaged

"When I got down here I was faced with the fire. I've no idea how much stock has been damaged. We know the cellar is badly flooded so presumably all that stock will be water-damaged.

"I've been told that it is thought an electrical faulty started it. We're fully covered by insurance so this won't affect us."

This morning, as crews continued to damp down the building, fire investigation officers returned to the scene of the blaze to continue to probe the cause of the fire.

It is understood investigators believe the seat of the blaze was towards the back of the building where there is a small kitchen area and a number of electrical office appliances.

A brigade spokesman confirmed today it was not being treated as suspicious.