THE site of a mill gutted by a massive blaze will still be turned into homes, the developer has vowed.

Firefighters from throughout East Lancashire spent hours tackling the blaze at the former Vernon Carus Mill, Johnson New Road, Hoddlesden, from 8pm on Saturday.

The remains of the three-storey building, which has lain derelict since its closure in 2003, were still smouldering last night.

Johnson New Road was also closed with metal fences to stop the public nearing the shell of the building, which contains a mass of charred and twisted wooden floor boards and rubble.

In January McInerney Homes said it would convert the mill into apartments, sheltered housing and offices – naming the sheltered housing section in honour of the late Coun Fred Slater whose dream it was for the site to be used in that way.

Following the blaze, a spokesperson for McInerney Homes North West said: “The mill was retained as a listed building, which would have been refurbished as part of the new development, in-line with the planners’ requirements.

“We’re very disappointed this has happened and will take appropriate steps to make the mill and site safe following the incident. McInerney will continue to work with the planning office to design a collection of new homes that best suits the needs of the local market and the development’s surrounds.”

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been started by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Darwen CID.

Fire Service spokesperson John Taylor said investigations into the cause of the fire were still at an early stage.

He said: “Nothing has been ruled out at this stage.

“With large blazes like these, there is a lot of debris to sift through and any bit of it can be a vital piece of evidence.”

Detective Constable Richard Bailie appealed for anyone with information to call 01254 353841 or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The blaze in Hoddlesden came 24 hours after fire wrecked Woodfield Mill, Trafalgar Street, Burnley.