AN investigation has been launched after a blaze gutted part of a mill complex on the outskirts of Todmorden town centre this morning.

Thirty-five firefighters from three brigades tackled the fire at Engima Restorations in Foundry Street, off Rochdale Road, after the alarm was raised just after 3.40am.

Crews from Todmorden and Mytholmroyd fire stations were first on the scene but fire commanders immediately drafted in three extra crews and an aerial appliance from Huddersfield.

In the end two fire engines from Bacup and another from Littleborough, near Rochdale, helped in bringing the blaze under control.

Watch manager Karl Fielden said: “We managed to protect the neighbouring units but Enigma Restorations, and one other unit on the first floor, was destroyed by fire.”

Several businesses, including a carpet manufacturer, car hire depot, joinery workshop and engine shop are located within the two-storey mill building, opposite the town’s Morrisons supermarket.

Mr Fielden said fire investigators were still trying to trace the owners of Engima Restoration, a classic car company, as part of their enquiries.

Firefighters also put in safeguards to ensure that the blaze did not spread beyond the building and endanger a nearby residential home.

Several firefighters were still on the scene yesterday morning, dealing with the dying embers of the blaze.

But safety concerns remained over the remainder of the Enigma structure, due to the severity of the initial incident.

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service spokesman said: “The building, which was around 30 metres by 50 metres, was very badly damaged.”