MORE than three million chicks were burned alive in a blaze which destroyed the UK's biggest independent hatchery and put 45 jobs at risk.

Firefighters fought for four hours to bring the fire under control at Mayfield Chicks, in Ewood Bridge, Haslingden. Crews were still damping down at the scene today. Around 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, with the Lancashire Police helicopter guiding the crews through the thick, choking smoke, which could be seen for miles.

Nearby premises and homes were evacuated amid fears about toxic smoke and at one stage police were going to close parts of the M66 as huge plumes drifted across the carriageway and the Edenfield bypass.

It is believed a female employee spotted smoke and raised the alarm. All the staff were safely evacuated.

Crews from across Lancashire and Greater Manchester were called in with environmental protection teams amid fears that the fumes could pose health risks.

Thermal images of the fire were relayed to a video-link at the fire service HQ giving them a detailed picture of where the blaze was raging.

Mayfield Chicks is the biggest independent hatchery in the country, breeding more than one million chicks every week.

The firm was targeted by animal rights activists in 1995, who used timed fire-bombs to attack eight wagons, causing more than £200,000 damage.

But fire crews today said it was too early to say if yesterday's fire was suspicious.

Company directors are due to meet today to discuss the future of the site although manager Mike Haines vowed the company, which employs 45 people, would rise again from the ashes. He said: "We are not exactly sure what caused this. It has to be assessed by the fire brigade."

Emergency services were called to the scene at 4.50pm yesterday and Lancashire's assistant chief officer Peter O'Brien said the fire spread rapidly.

He said: "It is still too early to say what exactly happened but we believe it started at one side of the building and quickly spread to the other side. We evacuated nearby premises and stopped the fire spreading to them. Some homes had to be evacuated because of the smoke."

Mr O'Brien said it was too early to determine the cause and fire investigation officers were working with police and factory bosses to try to establish what happened, which could take weeks.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: "This is a dreadful tragedy. Its very sad that so many chicks have died in such horrible circumstances and it must be very worrying for the staff."