PRODUCTION was held up for a day when a severe fire started at Shaw and Halstead’s Ltd, in Sion Street.

The fire broke out in the haircloth weaving department, but the cause was unknown.

Mr and Mrs H Diggle, of the nearby Mason’s Arms pub, had closed the premises when they were called to the door by people in the street.

Flames and smoke were rising from the mill, so Mrs Diggle phoned for help.

When Radcliffe fire brigade arrived, they found the roof of the riverside section well alight.

Thousands of gallons of water, most of it from the nearby river, were poured on the flames.

The firemen managed to prevent the outbreak spreading to other parts of the works.

They had it under control in less than an hour, but a crew remained on duty until 6am to deal with smaller outbreaks.

Around 30 per cent of the roof area was totally destroyed and a further 10 per cent was severely damaged.

There was also damage to stored cloth, beams and looms.

A representative of the firm, which specialises in garment interlinings, said that although production was stopped on Monday, all employees were back to work the next day.

It was the second big fire at the works in just over two years.

In May 1957, special bobbins were destroyed and several thousand pounds worth of damage was caused when a fire swept through the warehouse.