FIRE crews have been able to get inside Great Lever library and search for potential victims of last night's blaze

Around 2pm today, firefighters were given the all-clear to enter the building for the first time since the fire engulfed the building at around 11.30pm (Sunday, October 21).

Firefighters from six different stations across Greater Manchester battled the blaze at the old library building in Bradford Road.

The Bolton News:

The fire was put out at around 5am after crews used hydraulic platforms to fight the flames from above.

But the fire service were ordered not to enter the building until this afternoon - 14 hours later - because it wouldn't have been safe for firefighters.

Damage to the building's structure was so bad that fire chiefs were concerned the roof might collapse on the crews.

Read more: PICS & VIDEO - Library fire rages through the night.

Watch manager Mark Anderson expressed concerns this morning that people could be trapped inside the burnt-out building.

The Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service has since confirmed that no one was injured in the blaze.

Fire officers said an initial investigation suggested the fire was caused deliberately, but this has not yet been confirmed.

The Bolton News:

The building has reportedly been a target for anti-social activity in recent months, with reports of people stealing roof tiles and breaking into the derelict library.

Fire crews from Bolton, Farnworth, Westhoughton and Hindley attended the blaze, which raged through the night.

This morning, watch manager Mark Anderson told The Bolton News that fire crews were waiting for authorisation to enter the building.

He said: "We are concerned that there could be people in there. But we can't confirm this until we can gain access.

"The structure of the building, especially the roof and bell tower, has been severely compromised.

"We've been told it is not safe to enter. We're only going to be able to enter once the bell tower is removed and the roof secured."

The Bolton News:

The fire officer said he suspects the fire was started deliberately.

He said: "In my professional opinion, the fire appears to have been started deliberately. It could have been vagrants, they might have started a fire to keep themselves warm.

"Or it could have been kids messing around. But our main priority now is to make sure the building is safe to enter and then we can investigate further."

Bradford Road remains closed to traffic, but pedestrian access is allowed.

The building's electricity and gas supplies were switched off this morning, and fire investigators said they haven't ruled out whether a fault could have started the fire.

The Bolton News:

Watch manager Mark Anderson added: "The building will have to come down. The damage is extensive, there's no doubt it will have to come down."

Adrian Edgar, who lives across the road, said: "I heard a commotion outside about midnight.

"When I looked out the window, I couldn't believe it. The old library was in flames. The bell tower was like a flute, with all the smoke coming up out of it."

Mr Edgar said he has seen people climbing on the roof and stealing slate tiles in recent weeks.

"I'm not completely surprised to be honest. We've seen people climbing on the roof and taking tiles and we've also seen kids messing about, trying to break in.

"It attracts a lot of people because it's empty. It's a shame, it was such a nice old building."

The Bolton News:

The fire caused thick smoke in the area and people were asked to keep their windows and doors closed.

Another neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said he has seen teenagers setting off fireworks behind the building in the past few days.

He said: "There's always kids knocking about near the library, trying to get in and throwing stones at the windows.

"I've even seen them setting off fireworks right next to it. It was an accident waiting to happen."