A MAJOR investigation has been launched into the cause of a serious blaze at a mill in Blackburn.

Part of the building in Birley Street is set to be demolished and roads in the area remained closed yesterday following the fire on Monday night.

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More than 40 firefighters tackled the blaze overnight and managed to control the blaze within two hours and stopped it spreading to nearby buildings.

The building, formerly known as the Manner Sutton Street boiler works and foundry, behind Alkron Properties, is thought to be a tyre recycling business.

Dozens of people looked on as soot and ash spread through the evening air.

The police helicopter was called to fly over the scene yesterday to identify any hotspots that were still to be fully put out by the fire service.

The investigation is expected to last at least a couple of days and involved the fire service, police, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Environment Agency.

The fire service said that it was too early to say what the cause of the blaze was and whether it was being treated as suspicious.

The service also said that the owner of the building had not been established.

Simon Fryer, head of service development for East Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The fire crews were absolutely terrific and they worked incredibly hard to contain the fire.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“Firefighters managed to stop the fire from spreading from the main building and did a fantastic job.

“Our focus now is on investigation and we expect it to run into at least a couple of days.

“We will try to make the building safe by demolishing part of the structure down to a safe height and we are trying to reopen some of the roads as soon as we can.”

Incident commander Paul Briggs, who is station manager at Blackburn, said: “We are working with the police, the local authority and the environment agency to secure the building and try to reopen streets as soon as we can.

“The main body of the fire was put out by the morning but there was major damage to the roof and the centre of the building.

“We have concerns over the structural integrity of it and we are working to secure it and make the site safe.”

Glynis Scott, manager at Bowman Court residential home, said 20 residents had chosen to go home with their families for the night after the blaze started.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The home, run by Housing and Care 21, backs onto Trinity Street, near Birley Street.

“An ambulance was parked outside just in case it was needed, and the home was not evacuated, but some residents did choose to leave with their families,”said Glynis Scott.