A ROTHERWAS company which was hit by a huge fire has been given a lifeline after a nearby company has provided a temporary base.

Commercial Vehicle Repair was destroyed by fire on October 14 with six fire crews scrambled to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate.

The building lost its roof and was ruined by fire. Click here to read our story at the time of the fire.

Richard Gray, who owns the repair business, wanted to stay on the estate- which is where Andy Brookes from Mike Brookes Transport Ltd stepped in to offer him a bay at his haulage company garage.

The fire was on the Wednesday and they were setting up at Brookes' on the Saturday.

Mr Gray said: "Our lad was working on a car and we don't know what happened but the car went up.

"We attempted to put it out with a fire extinguisher. We had called the fire brigade- they came and did a good job in all fairness to them."

Loud explosions were heard as tyres popped on the car as it went up in flames.

There were other vehicles in the building but they managed to remove them.

He said: "We came to Andy and he was the first one we came to and he said, 'Come on in.'"

Mr Gray set up his business in 1972 and moved to the purpose-built premises in 1990.

The fire service is carrying out an investigation and Mr Gray will have to wait to hear back from his insurance company, but they hope they will be able to move back into the building.

He said: "I couldn't believe it really. We couldn't believe how it escalated really from a little fire we couldn't manage with a fire extinguisher, which got out of control. "

The two companies have helped each other out in the past.

Mr Brookes said: "We have known Richard for quite a number of years. He is a well respected chap around the town and I wanted to help in any way I could."