A FIRE which broke out near an industrial unit is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

Emergency services responded to reports of a blaze involving a large quantity of waste adjacent to the industrial unit at Hills Premier Polymers on Green Road, Colne, shortly before 6pm on Thursday.

The fire could be seen miles away from other parts of Pendle as well as Burnley, and some motorists said the black smoke could be seen on the M65.

There were no casualties reported following the outbreak of the fire and the blaze was extinguished in three hours, a fire spokesman said.

At the time incident manager Neil Hardiman said the fire service did not know whether the fire was started deliberately or accidentally.

He said: “Initially the fire was very severe, involving large pallets of plastic waste stored outside the premises which created a huge smoke bloom.

“The exterior of the building suffered scorched burns along its full length but the inside of the building has thankfully been saved.”

Richard Quigley, 25, said he could see the smoke from his house nearly three miles away in Barrowford. He said: “It was huge. You could see the black smoke from miles around.”

He went to the site after the smoke aroused his curiosity.

Council leader Paul White said: “All credit to the fire service for dealing with this incredibly professionally.”

A spokesman from Environment Agency added: “We attended the site to assess whether the water run-off was causing an environmental impact Colne Water and take immediate action to mitigate the risk of pollution occurring, to protect people and the environment.”

Following a joint investigation between fire investigators and detectives, the blaze is being treated as suspicious and an arson investigation is under way.

Police are now urging witnesses to come forward. Det Sgt Bryony Midgley said: “An arson investigation is under way.

“A significant amount of damage has been caused to a plastics factory and after consultation with Lancashire Fire and Rescue, we believe the cause to be suspicious.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone with information about the incident.

“If you saw anyone acting unusually in the area between 5.30pm and 6pm, get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log reference 1144 of June 7.