FIVE people have lost their jobs following an arson attack on a mill - prompting police and the business's owner to slam the teenagers responsible.

Kevin Shanley, 60, has decided to close JS Shanley Motor Engineers and Recovery after 17 years in business following the fire at the Rockfield Mill premises in Rockfield Street, Blackburn, on Saturday night.

He said the combination of his age and the loss of business while rebuilding work was carried out meant he could not afford to start up again.

Mr Shanley said: "It is absolutely devastating and I am very angry. So much so that I would show total disregard for the law and if I ever got my hands on them I would give them a good hiding."

Police believe the fire, which ripped through two other businesses and left the mill needing to be demolished, was a juvenile prank.

Children were spotted running away as flames, which at their peak could be seen as far away as Belmont, spread through the building.

Today Inspector Steve Howarth, of Blackburn police, said: "These teenagers have shown total disregard for anything other than their own enjoyment and have utterly devastated people's lives.

"It has caused a loss of jobs and it is absolutely shocking that this sort of behaviour goes on.

"Clearly, they have no understanding of the potential consequences of what they did. There needs to be some serious education here.

"They also nearly lost their lives. They had to leg it out of the area very quickly as the fire started.

"They should look at this and understand what their 'bit of fun' has done and other children should take heed as well."

The mill housed two other companies. Owners of those businesses were still counting the cost today.

But Mr Shanley reached his decision to close after hearing that the insurance company would not cover the full cost of the damage and the business lost in the meantime. As well as losing his own livelihood, he has had to lay off three mechanics and a secretary, who is currently on holiday and does not yet know.

Mr Shanley, who lives in Langho, said: "I have paid about £150,000 insurance over the years, but I didn't pay the extra £4,000 a year to insure against loss of earnings because I never expected something like this.

"It is not viable to carry on. The decision was made for me. This business has been my life. I have worked seven days a week, 100 hours a week and it has all gone.

"I feel like Tony Martin, the farmer who shot the burglars. I feel now like he did the right thing.The government has totally lost the plot with regard to do gooders in the society.

"There is no form of discipline whatsoever, the government has taken that away."

Four teenagers have been released on police bail pending further inquiries in connection with the fire. A further youth, a 15-year-old boy, was arrested yesterday and interviewed by detectives.