EXPERTS from the county council and the water board were drafted in to help identify chemicals found at a derelict plastics factory in Accrington.

An intense blaze, believed to be arson, caused severe damage at the old mill building, in Stevenson Street East at around 5pm on Sunday.

And as the crews were 'damping down' after tackling the flames, they came across 'several' glass bottles which had cracked and were believed to contain 'unknown chemicals'.

Crew manager Tony Spencer said: "On damping down, we found that some of the building had been used in the past as a laboratory for the company that was here before.

"We found several bottles of unknown chemicals that were fractured and were on the floor."

The fire crews were pulled out of the building once the blaze was out in case there were any risks to health and safety and they were made to put their uniforms in plastic bags for decontamination.

Hazardous materials experts were also drafted in to make sure there was no danger to the firefighters or the residents living on the opposite side of the street.

A fire service spokesman said: "The fire was brought under control quickly and extinguished with no casualties. While dampening down fire crews discovered several chemicals at the scene, which were quickly contained.

"They requested the attendance of the county analyst and United Utilities for consultation.

"However, they are keen to stress that there is no risk or hazard to the public."

But group manager Mark Hutton said there was no risk to those living by.

He added: "I want to reassure the public that beyond the building, there is no hazard.

"Parents in the local area should ensure that their children are not playing in disused buildings. There is a danger from the building itself, but there can also be other things within them."

A spokesman for the county council said an analyst visited the site to carry out basic tests on the chemicals.

He said: "He discovered there was no risk to life or limb and left. There was a representative for the owner there too, and it's their responsibility to do any clean-up that is necessary."

An inspector from United Utilities was also called to help.

A spokesman said: "Before the inspector got to site, the incident was downgraded because it was found the chemicals were not harmful."