A HISTORIC mill in Burnley has been gutted after a huge fire ripped through the derelict building.

A team of 25 firefighters from Accrington, Padiham, Nelson and Burnley battled the blaze for three hours to bring it under control and an arson investigation has now been launched.

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The emergency services were called to the George Street Mill, which is part of the Weavers Triangle Conservation Area, shortly after 3am yesterday.

Crews used an aerial ladder platform to spray water into the three-storey building off Queen’s Lancashire Way.

Incident commander Neil Hardiman said the mill was believed to have been set on fire deliberately.

He said: “The fire was started on the second floor of the building and spread up to the roof and other areas.

“The flames burnt through the roof and damaged a large part of the disused mill.

“Although the building is structurally secure, a local authority officer will inspect the site.

“The fire was extremely hot and luckily and the crews managed to contain the fire and not let it spread to other buildings.

“An investigation is currently on going and we are working with the police to find out how the fire was started.

“Crew members remained at the scene for the remainder of the day.

“We are urging everyone to keep away from the building as it will be extremely dangerous to try and gain access inside.”

The mill sits within the Weavers Triangle Conservation Area and was built in 1897 by Burnley industrialist William Bracewell.

The each floor of the mill housed 500 looms and became redundant and unused in the early 20th Century.

The building has previously suffered an arson attack in April 2007 after a fire destroyed parts of the roof.

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: “Obviously I am seriously shocked to find there has been a fire of this scale in the town centre.

“I am however really pleased that there was no one inside and there were no injuries to anyone or the fire crew.

“Everyone involved with putting out the fire deserve credit for their efforts as the fire has thankfully not spread anywhere else.

“As the cause of the fire is believed to be suspected arson it makes me very angry to think that there are people who are putting themselves and the fire crew’s lives at risk.

“There could be anything inside those buildings and setting fire to it could lead to anything.

“I hope those responsible are caught and are given stiff sentences which are deserving of their actions.”

Inspector Simon Holderness, of Burnley police, said: “We were called at around 3am on Sunday morning after a large fire had been reported at George Street Mill off Queen’s Lancashire Way.

“The crews were still in attendance to the fire several hours after they arrived.

“If anyone has any information about how the fire was started, or saw any suspicious activity leading up to the fire, should call the police on 101.”