TERRIFIED residents ran for their lives as an asbestos roof exploded and showered their streets with burning debris during a massive mill blaze.

Motorists abandoned their cars in the Highfield Road area of Clitheroe as the former Sun Street Mill caught fire at 5.15pm yesterday during demolition work to make way for a supermarket.

And fire chiefs said it was amazing that no-one was hurt as the burning debris rained down on the surrounding area.

Alan Ashworth, boss of Ashworth Demolition Ltd of Slaidburn, said workmen had just cleared the mill of chemicals and solvents.

"A ball of fire just shot through the mill and we evacuated immediately.

"I have never seen anything like it in my life. We had just cleared the place of chemicals and solvents. If we hadn't, it could have been a disaster," he said.

Ten houses were evacuated as 35 fire fighters battled to bring the blaze under control.

Teatime traffic was also brought to a standstill as police closed off part of Highfield Road. Resident Bill Taylor raised the alarm after he saw a mass of flames shoot from the mill towards his home.

"The roof of the mill exploded and there was debris flying everywhere. A mass of flames and smoke shot from the burning building towards my house. People were screaming and workmen were fleeing," he said.

Youngsters playing in the street said they were sent diving for cover by the "big bang".

Leroy Parker, 12, of nearby Brotherton Meadows, said there had been a "big bang" then "flames everywhere".

Residents of ten houses opposite the blazing mill were evacuated to a car park behind their homes as fire fighters from Clitheroe, Burnley and Great Harwood tackled the blaze.

It is believed that the fire started when sawdust and rubbish from the demolition work was set alight by a spark from machinery.

Leading fire fighter Ronnie Eatough said it was a miracle that no-one had been hurt.

"We had to evacuate nearby houses because of flying debris, but thankfully we didn't have to send anyone into the mill," he said.

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