A BLAZE ripped through the roof of a disused mill after arsonists set fire to a pile of tyres next to the building.

Four engines from Bolton were called out to the inferno at Halliwell Mill, in Raglan Street, at about 11.30pm last night, where the fire started on the rubber tyres.

When crews arrived they also found a Peugeot car parked nearby the building in flames.

Video of the fire filmed by Braydon Holland

Firefighters have remained at the scene to control the fire which spread into the roof.

Bolton Central watch manager, Carson Boyle said: “We had calls of a fire in the grounds of the mill.

“When we arrived it was a car that was set on fire but when we did a search of the rest of the mill we found a quantity of tyres on the other side of the mills.

“They went alight and quickly spread into the roof. We soon realised it was a much bigger job and called in other engines.

“We used a hydraulic platform to tackle the fire from above and get into the roof.

“It was in danger of spreading even further but thankfully we were able to force entry into the units affected and suppress the fire.

“We got into the loft area of one unit and managed to control it but we still have one engine there and will be passing over to the daytime crews.

“It was clearly a deliberate ignition and police are investigating.”