DOZENS of firefighters fought to control a blaze which ripped through a Ramsbottom mill on Tuesday night.

Arsonists are being blamed for the fire which started at the former Drury Adams building - a part of Peel Mill on Irwell Street.

Some 50 firefighters took two hours to bring the outbreak under control and stop it spreading to adjoining properties.

Crews from Ramsbottom, Bury and Bolton attended the scene and used specialist equipment to force their way into the building, as shown in our picture.

They used six jets, and attached one of the pumps directly to the river. The blaze tore through both floors of the building. Police had to redirect traffic while crews fought the fire.

Assistant divisional officer Deon Webber said: "It was too dangerous to send men in.

"It was structurally unsafe and the floors were collapsing. It had to be tackled from outside using an aerial platform ladder to douse the flames from above the building." The derelict building was the former site of Drury Adams which manufactured upholstery foam.

Mr Webber added: "The foam left in the building contributed to the intensity of the blaze."

Crowds of people flocked to the town centre to see the fire. Mr Darren Barnes, of Nuttall Lane, said: "You could see the flames high in the sky and hear crackling sounds. There were so many people it was like there was a football match."

Mr Webber added: "The cause of the fire is under investigation and we cannot rule out malicious ignition."

New owners of the building want to demolish the mill complex and build a supermarket and petrol station.

The premises have been targeted by arsonists and vandals since it became empty in February this year. Local traders said the empty mill was "an accident waiting to happen".

The building, which was in danger of total collapse, was due to be demolished yesterday.

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