MORE than 50 firefighters battled to save a Radcliffe factory following a suspected arson attack.

The occupants of one house next to Windsor Mill, in Bolton Road, were evacuated as fire crews tackled the inferno on Monday night.

Twelve firemen wearing breathing apparatus spent nearly two hours searching the disused mill, regularly used as a drugs den and by people sleeping rough. But no-one was found inside.

The fire started on the first floor of the building which was formerly occupied by Lawson Johnson Ltd yarn processors. It has been vacant for some years with the site earmarked for demolition to make way for houses.

At the height of the blaze, ten fire engines and two aerial ladder units were brought in to deal with the incident.

Station officer Bill Gibbon and his crew from Whitefield Fire Station were the first to reach the burning mill shortly before 9pm.

He said: "When we arrived, flames and smoke were pouring through the first floor windows and the roof at the lower end of the factory.

"Residents feared there may be people still inside the building and a dozen firefighters were involved in a fingertip search of the site. Visibility was very poor but the building was empty."

Firefighters faced further danger as they struggled to reach the attic area with flames spreading above their heads.

The fire was eventually brought under control after an hour-and-a-half and fully extinguished by 11.30pm. A number of fire crews remained at the scene throughout the night and Bolton Road was closed to traffic until late Tuesday afternoon.

Station officer Gibbon added: "Considering the difficulties faced by firefighters fighting this blaze, the operation was a success and we managed to save most of the factory."

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, although it is believed it was started maliciously.