AN INVESTIGATION has been launched following a blaze at the former Gardner Aerospace site in Burnley.

Two fire engines from Burnley, one from Nelson, and an aerial platform ladder appliance from Accrington were all called to the 200,000 sq ft facility at Hargher Clough Works, off Hargher Street, to tackle the blaze at 6pm on Wednesday.

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A spokesman for Burnley fire station said: “The fire involved a single storey disused section of the factory.

“Crews took two hours to put it out, and the cause is under investigation.”

Firefighters were forced to wear breathing masks to get close to the fire, which they fought using powerful hose reel jets. The company, formerly known as Pendle Aeroform, closed in 2011 after a campaign to keep it open ended in failure.

Possible moves in both Burnley and Hapton were said to have been discussed with bosses in a bid to secure the future of the 120-strong workforce there, who made parts for RAF Typhoons and Airbus A380 craft.

Work carried out at Burnley was transferred to the company’s other plants in Hull and Ilkeston in Derbyshire, less than a decade after the company was bought from receivers in a £2.5million deal. Nick Guttridge, the firm’s business development director said internal restructuring, and the global downturn, were to blame for the closure.

Following the factory’s closure, the building was targeted by prospective thieves.

Two years ago, police were called twice in one day as force canines and a helicopter were scrambled after reports were received of three people trying to get into the building.