CHILDREN with fireworks started a major blaze which seriously damaged part of a former town centre mill.

Fire crews spent two hours tackling the suspected arson attack at Bell Street Works, John Street, Haslingden, on New Year's Eve.

Children had been seen placing fireworks in car exhausts, and a spent firework was recovered from the first floor of the mill, which is sub-divided into at least five separate business units.

An appeal has been made for anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The first floor was well alight when crews from Haslingden, Accrington, and two from Rawtenstall, were called at 3.50pm.

Assistant Divisional Officer Neville Earnshaw said: "A fire investigation was launched and immediately it was looking like an arson attack with the most likely cause being a firework thrown through a broken window igniting materials inside."

Officer Earnshaw said fire crews had worked in difficult conditions to bring the blaze under control.

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