COUNCIL chiefs are inspecting CCTV footage as part of an investigation into a third fire at a former plastics site in Blackburn.

Plastic waste caught fire again at the former V10 Polymers site in Paterson Street on Sunday just over a week after 70 firefighters tackled a blaze at the same site when thousands of tonnes were destroyed.

It was the third fire at the site within two months.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said work is continuing to ‘help prevent any further inconvenience for residents’ and it is looking at redevelopment as a long-term solution.

The Environment Agency is also pursuing the director of the site through the courts.

The site is being held by liquidators Begbys after V10 Polymers went bankrupt and sold it to Holt Development who went into receivership.

David Holt, the director of both companies involved in the site, for alleged offences under Environmental Permitting Regulations.

He is due to appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court on November 14.

Council director Sayyed Osman said the council shared the concerns of residents.

He said: “This is a private site and we are using all of our powers to put pressure on those responsible for ensuring it’s not a hazard and causing further disruption for residents.

“The fire on Sunday was much smaller scale thanks to the work that’s been going on to deal with the way the materials left so any fires can be contained quickly.

“The focus now is on the police investigation and security arrangements with those responsible. Pressure is being put on the owners and court action is already being taken.

“We are going through CCTV footage and will be sharing information with the police to help with the investigation.

“I’d like to give thanks again for the local volunteers who have made sure that people who were worried had somewhere to go if they wanted to.

“And also the teams who worked from early hours on Sunday to make sure people were not affected for too long.

“The Council wants the site cleared up and most important, redeveloped to provide a long term solution.”

Carole Davis, landlady of the Clifton Arms which backs on to the site, said: “I have been told there is no money to move it. It is an eyesore and a hazard waiting to happen.

“There should be security people on site to stop whoever is setting it on fire.”