AN electrical fault is being blamed for a fire which threatened to destroy a soap factory in Ramsbottom.

A man walking his dog at about 9.30pm on Friday spotted smoke in the Kays Soap Works in Kenyon Street and alerted firefighters.

Crews from Bury and Ramsbottom had to install special lighting in the building while they tackled the blaze in the middle of the factory floor.

Station Officer Paul Myerscough said the age of the Victorian factory and a floor soaked with soap ingredients made tackling the fire more difficult.

He said: "Fats used in the production of soap had soaked into the floor and these intensified the flames. The factory is also old so we had to be careful about the strength of its structure."

Thermal imaging equipment was used to locate heat spots. The fire was fully brought under control within two hours and firefighters left the factory at 3am.

Station Officer Myerscough added: "The fire had been smouldering away for many hours and it was fortunate that it was still light outside when the smoke was spotted.

"The damage was actually very minor."