FIREFIGHTERS from across Lancashire last night tackled an inferno at a derelict Blackburn mill.
Crews from Blackburn, Accrington, Darwen, and Great Harwood were called to Roe Lee Mill, in Whalley New Road, at around 9.15pm.
Photographs taken at the scene show the former cotton weaving mill engulfed in flames.
MORE TOP STORIES:
A total of six fire engines and 30 firefighters were required at the fire's peak, with embers threatening to spread to nearby homes.
An aerial ladder platform was used to fight the well-established fire from above as crews battled to bring it under control.
Two crews remained at the scene this morning to dampen down and seek out hot spots within the wreckage.
Investigators are now expected to visit the mill, where people were seen running from shortly before the fire took hold.
Watch manager Caroline Harrison, who led last night's operation, confirmed the blaze was being treated as suspicious.
It was the second major incident the fire service dealt with in the space of 24 hours.
Crews earlier tackled a major blaze in Great Harwood, which destroyed four vehicles inside TCS Waste, in Heys Lane.
Roe Lee Mill was opened in 1912, and welcomed King George V and Queen Mary a year later during their grand tour of East Lancashire.
However, it had fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years, with a planning application to flatten it lodged in 2013.
Permission was later granted by Blackburn with Darwen Council.
- A 21-year-old man from Blackburn was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. He was later arrested on suspicion of arson and was in police custody this morning.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article