RESIDENTS from around 30 houses were advised by firefighters to close all their doors and windows after a suspected arson attack at a window manufacturing company in Elton, Bury.

Fire crews from Bury and Bolton North were called to Supreme Windows, in Lowercroft Road, at around 9.40pm on Friday (Sept 7) after receiving reports of a blaze in two storage containers in the factory yard.

The smoke produced by the fire, which is believed to have been started maliciously in the containers of two articulated lorries, was so dense and black that all the firefighters, even the drivers, were forced to wear breathing apparatus. Station officer Paul Myerscough said: "A fire had been started in the articulated trailers used to store frame sections of double-glazed windows.

"The plastic frames produced thick, black smoke that was made worse by high winds. It was blowing a gale on Friday night and the fumes were being blown all over the road. It was difficult to see and we all had to wear breathing apparatus."

Mr Myerscough said that nearby householders were asked to close all their windows and doors to prevent the smoke from entering their homes. The blaze was under control within an hour.

He added: "It was a blessing that the factory itself did not catch fire as we would have had a major problem if it had spread to other double-glazing units inside."

Around £5,000 worth of damage was caused to the trailers and a further £4,000 worth of stock was also destroyed. Bury detectives are investigating the cause of the fire.