DIYWEEK.net

Massive fire at Gordon Rigg Garden Centre rages for more than 12 hours, destroying around a quarter of the building.
The fire broke out at the centre in Kingsway, Rochdale at around 8pm Saturday October 10 and took crews from Rochdale and Chadderton until lunchtime the next day to get the blaze under control.

The fire was confined to the end of the building, which is believed to be the pet department. According to a report in the Manchester Evening News, garden centre owner Peter Rigg confirmed that all of the centre's fish, six rabbits and a number of reptiles died in the fire. He added that the intense heat of the fire simply smashed the fish tanks.

Nearly a quarter of the building on Moss Bridge Road will have to be demolished after suffering structural damage in the blaze. However, the greenhouse roof, which was also damaged, can be repaired.

The centre remained closed on Sunday, while staff helped to clean up the premises but was open for business again on Monday after a generator was brought in to provide electricity.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is conducting an investigation into the fire.