NEIGHBOURS have spoken of their fears after fire again engulfed a disused warehouse that went up in flames less than a fortnight ago.

People living near the former V10 Polymers site in Paterson Street, Blackburn, were advised by police to keep doors and windows shut as smoke spread after the blaze early yesterday when plastic waste caught fire.

Four fire engines two from Blackburn, one from Darwen and the one from Hyndburn were sent to the scene shortly before 4.30am. The Environment Agency suspected the cause of the fire was arson but this time nobody was evacuated.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: “This incident is on a much smaller scale.”

He said the advice on doors and window had been issued despite no asbestos remaining on the site.

Graham Leach, of nearby Highfield Gardens, said: “It’s upsetting because there is so much waste in there. People do not know what it is.

“It is something suspicious various activities have been seen on the site.

“A lot of the neighbours are concerned because we do not know what is in that waste.”

Hannah Forster, who works at the Premier Atlantic shop in Highfield Road, said: “I’m worried. I think it’s just kids messing about, basically. It’s just people being horrible and making things really bad.”

An Environment Agency official said: “It appears that somebody is targeting the site. The work we started on Wednesday has managed to contain this fire.

“We will carry on working to minimise the risk but it’s private land and we can’t stop people if they are determined.”

Cllr Sayyed Osman, on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The impact has been minimal. We feel we have very quickly brought things under control. We will be looking at the CCTV.”