FIREBUGS are being blamed for a blaze which broke out in an old Radcliffe mill.

The fire, which was inside a unit at the former Radcliffe Paper and Board factory in Johnson Street, involved a quantity of plastic piping and wood.

A thick pall of smoke hung over the derelict premises as a Whitefield crew tackled the outbreak.

They were at the scene for 20 minutes following the fire on Sunday evening (Oct 15).

Officers believe youngsters gained entry to the building before igniting the material.