A SPRINKLER system almost certainly saved a Bury factory from being destroyed in an arson attack last weekend.

The system was triggered after firebugs clambered on to the top of Smith Rotational Mouldings' unit in Mitchell Street and ignited the roof.

But it was several hours later before the fire took hold. A 10sq metre section of roofing was destroyed and debris fell through into the interior, coming to rest on a quantity of sheet metal racking and tools.

Water and electricity supplies were disrupted following the blaze, causing interruption to several production shifts.

Managing director Mrs Joan Buggie said if the fire had occurred at the other end of the building then expensive, state-of-the-art machinery would have been severely damaged.

"Thankfully, when the fire started our sprinkler system came into action and that saved the rest of the factory.

"There was absolutely no smoke inside and it was obvious the fire was started outside."

Fire crews were called to the unit at 4.30am on Sunday and spent two hours at the scene tackling the blaze.

However, fire chiefs believe the arson attack happened some time during Saturday afternoon and that it took several hours before the blaze took hold.

"We've no idea how the vandals started it," added Mrs Buggie. "I assume perhaps they stuffed a rag into the roof before setting it on fire.

"Another stroke of luck for us was that if the fire had occurred at the other end of the building, it would have damaged a new £1,250,000 machine."

Some of the company's 23-strong workforce were unable to begin their shift work because of the arson attack. However, full production was able to get under way later.

Investigations into the blaze are continuing.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.