FIREFIGHTERS raced to a blaze in Barnoldswick on Sunday after arsonists started a fire at one of the town's former mill sites.

Westfield Mill, on Carr Road, formally occupied by Dermide Ltd, became engulfed in flames around 4pm. Two pumps from Barnoldswick were first on the scene after receiving numerous calls from locals.

With the fire already reaching the roof, a further back up pump was called from Earby followed by another two pumps from Colne and one from Nelson.

The six pumps were then backed up with a hydraulic platform from Burnley so firefighters could cope with the immense size of the building. After nearly three hours, and with the help of specialist appliances, officers managed to get the blaze under control. The firefighters then worked through the night to dampen down the building and the incident was officially closed at 8.30am the following morning.

Barnoldswick watch manager Ray Bowker said officers had been at the site the previous Monday evening for training purposes and noticed the building was insecure. There would be no full investigation as the site was a semi-derelict building.

Residents had complained of children using the site.

Mr Bowker said: "If children have been using it for little dens it was an accident waiting to happen. There could have been someone in the building, we don't know. In that situation it is a dangerous place to be playing."

Ernest Spencer, of Gisburn Road, was an eyewitness to the incident.

He said: "It was about 4pm and one of the neighbours came knocking on all the doors to tell people to move their cars and the fire service had run tapes round to keep people back.

"It was really going. The lads that came in first, they were just trying to keep it under control. It was bursting through - glass was flying about and you could see it spreading along. Part of the roof came in and part of the floor came in, everything was hanging down."

Mr Spencer said he has seen teenagers entering the site on numerous occasions.

"You just can't keep them out," he added. "Everyone is of the opinion that it has been started deliberately. They get up to all sorts - setting man traps.

"If there had been anyone inside they would have been hurt. If the fire service had not had pas quick a response as it was it is possible it could have turned more damaging then it did - those are very strong walls but they are very big walls - there is a lot of weight in them.

"I don't think they can leave it there now because it is very dangerous."

The site has been earmarked for housing and permission was given to property developers Orchard Holdings in March to build 54 houses on the site.

Neighbourhood policing sergeant for Colne and West Craven, Tom Riley, said the incident had been classed as arson: "If we do find out who is starting fires we will be working hand in hand with the fire service in order to arrest these people and put them before the courts."

Sgt Riley said community beat managers PC Mark Hyde and PC Brendan Wood would be meeting with the owner of the site to discuss securing the building.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Barnoldswick Police Station on 01282 863161.