A BUILDER'S workshop was wrecked in a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters were called to Terence Walmsley Builders, in Goosehouse Lane, Darwen, after more than 10 members of the public rang the emergency services.

Watch manager Tony Hartley, of Darwen Fire Station, said the building had been ruined by the blaze.

The business, run from the wooden workshop at the top of the lane, has been in Darwen for 40 years.

He said: "It is just the man who owns it and his son running the workshop, and it all went up in smoke.

"We were up there for three hours putting out the fire, then checking for hotspots.

"But the most important thing when we got there was making the area safe by dealing with the gas canisters outside.

"If one of those had exploded, things could have been a lot worse.

"It was well alight when we got there, burning most of the building structure and equipment inside.

"At the moment we're treating the fire as suspicious, pending further investigations."

Three crews attended the blaze, and the road was closed while gas canisters and asbestos were removed.

Owner Mr Walmsley, a builder, joiner, and roofer, of Sunnyhurst Lane, said he was too upset to speak about the blaze today, but thanked passers-by and neighbours who reported it.

Police confirmed they were called to the scene shortly after midnight, to assist in closing the road, and said investigations into the fire were continuing.

In April, planning permission was granted to demolish the existing workshop and build three new industrial units at the yard.