Belmont: Firefighters tackle fire in old Springside Mill

The fire broke out at the old Springside Mill  off Belmont Road near to Dingle Reservoir. 

The building is part of a complex sited between Belmont Road and Longworth Road. 

 The former Springside Mill in Belmont closed in 2007 and in 2013 was earmarked for 110 houses.

Firefighters from Lancashire and Greater Manchester were called out to the blaze at just before 11pm last night, Bank Holiday Monday. 

The fire-ravaged building (Image: Newsquest)

By 2.30pm today the fire had been extinguished, with fire officers on scene during the day tackling the remains of it. 

A demolition crew is now pulling down the ravaged building.

Watch Manager Rob Birtwistle at Burnley Fire Station said this afternoon: "We are finishing up. 

"Fire crews were called just before 11pm last night. We have taken over from the night crew. 

Fire crews on scene (Image: Newsquest)

"Eight pumps and a water bowser were used. Because it's a private road and there are a lack of hydrants, so we got water direct from the reservoir. 

"Two crews are currently left, but I am just going to put a stop on it. The demolition crews are now in." 

He added: "We came out at 8am as a relief crew and were tasked with extinguishing it, which we have now managed to do. 

"I believe it was dropped to two pumps at 4am. We have been hitting the hot spots, there was the odd pocket of hot spot. 

The damage (Image: Newsquest)

"There was no one in, it is a derelict site from what I understand, so no one was harmed."

A Lancashire fire service spokesperson said: "Six fire engines from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and six fire engines from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, along with an air support unit and water bowser attended an incident at Bromley Cross, Bolton.

"The fire involved a derelict commercial property approximately 80m x 10m. Crews used defensive jets, respirators, two handheld jets, and two light portable pumps.

"Firefighters remain in attendance monitoring hotspots."

Barratt Homes and Urban Springside Limited submitted a planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the housing estate in April of last year. 

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We have received a report of criminal damage and we are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 1531 of 27th May 2024."