AN investigation is taking place today, tuesday, to find the cause of a fire which gutted a Rossendale mill used as a shoe and clothing warehouse.

Fifty firefighters from three county forces were involved in fighting the blaze at Nunnhills Mill, Blackwood Road, Stacksteads.

Lancashire fire crews were joined by appliances from Todmorden and Rochdale.

The two-storey stone building, used by Stylegleam Ltd as a warehouse and store for shoes and clothing, was gutted.

But firefighters provided a water curtain to prevent the blaze spreading to an adjoining warehouse used by Calder Marketing. The cause of the fire which started shortly after 1pm yesterday is still under investigation. Fire crews were at the scene throughout the night damping down and making sure the area was safe.

Assistant Divisional officer Chris Waters said: "There was no-one in the building at the time.

"It is used for storage with only one or two part-time workers I understand."

The alarm was raised by a builder working on an extension to the factory next to the River Irwell.

Mr Waters said: "When the first crews arrived from Bacup the fire was already going well and a call was immediately made for more appliances to be sent." Eight pumps, as well as an aerial platform ladder from Burnley and the incident support unit from Accrington, attended.

As flames and smoke poured from the windows and roof firefighters in breathing apparatus went into the Calder Marketing building and used a jet to provide a curtain of water to prevent the fire breaking through.

Mr Waters said: "It was a difficult incident but fortunately we were able to save the second part of the building."

He said investigation officers would be going into the remains of the building today to try to establish the cause of the fire.

No-one from either company available for comment.