THE owner of a recycling storage unit at the centre of a suspected arson attack told of his anguish at the huge blaze.

More than 50 firefighters from across Lancashire were needed to put out the fire at Jigsaw Quest in Park Road, Padiham, where plastic was being stored in large containers.

Police are studying CCTV footage of the scene after a number of youths were reportedly spotted in the area moments before the incident.

Stephen Barnes, 48, from Burnley, said his firm was a family business which had taken over the site from Lancashire County Council 18 months ago.

He said: “I was quite upset when I saw it. I’m quite level-headed and we just need to get it back together.

“The heat was quite horrendous. I wasn’t best pleased. It’s going to cost a few quid to repair but the fire brigade did brilliantly.

“Some machinery was damaged, but to be honest I was more worried about everyone around us.”

Mr Barnes said the facility, which is licensed by the Environment Agency, was only staffed when a delivery or collection was due. Nobody was present when the fire started at around 3.30pm on Wednesday.

Diane Keeth, 57, and her partner Steve Lyne, 60, who live in nearby Field Street, said the fire was ‘quite scary’.

Ms Keeth said: “We were walking the dog down there last week and Steve said, ‘I’m surprised that place hasn’t gone up in flames yet’. A lot of people round here blame it for attracting flies.”

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it received 44 calls about the fire. Crews from as far afield as Fulwood, Blackpool and Morecambe attended.

Fire manager Mark Hutton said: “We evacuated the commercial premises in the immediate area and all surrounding businesses were open yesterday, which is testament to the job we did containing the fire.”

Smoke was seen as far away as Cowling in North Yorkshire.