Seven fire crews descended on Blainscough Lane in Coppull last Thursday after a blaze at the Douglas Valley Car Breakers.

Plumes of smoke could be seen for miles around at the height of the inferno.

Long-established JM Reclamation fronts the scene of the blaze and several fire engines parked in their yard while they tackled the flames.

John Masterson, 48, has run the business for nearly 10 years and said some people mistakingly thought it was his firm that was affected.

Recalling the drama he said: "We were just going to load our wagons with some materials for deliveries when we noticed the smoke.

"We heard the loud bangs as the fire took hold of the building. The fire brigade were quickly on the site and we were told that we could not get back on site for 24 hours.

"It meant that people could not come to pick up their goods and we lost more than 24 hours of business because we did not re-open until 2.30pm on Friday.

"I don't know how it has affected our business because I got 20-30 calls from people concerned about that someone was hurt and there was a fire at our firm.

"There were a couple of fire engines on our land and the firemen moved some of my stock so they could shoot water over into the breakers yard building.

"We want to let people know that the business is still open and that we are trading as usual."

A man was taken to hospital after suffering extensive injuries in attempting to tackle the flames.

Seven crews were drafted in to battle the blaze at 10.30am as residents and workers were evacuated from the nearby homes and businesses.

A 200m exclusion zone was created and the lane was closed to passers-by amid fears that the fire had spread causing volatile gas cylinders to explode.

In addition to one jet, fire crews used an aerial ladder platform and a mobile fire station to bring the fire under control.

Traffic in the village was backed up along Preston Road for most of the day.