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HOMES were evacuated at the height of the blaze
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Families flee from huge mill blaze
Bethan Dorset20/ 7/2007
MORE than 30 people had to flee their homes as a fire ripped through a Sparth mill.
Crews from Rochdale, Littleborough, Heywood and Oldham were called in to fight the fire at Dane Mill early on Friday.
But the blaze which engulfed the Bridgefield Street building was so fierce that police were called in to evacuate surrounding homes and close a number of roads surrounding the mill, the former home of Moon Furniture.
Rochdale Station Officer Mick Royds was among those called to the scene following several 999 calls from worried residents just after midnight.
He said: "We arrived to find a serious fire had developed on the third floor of the building.
"It was so well-developed that you could see the flames coming out of the roof.
"We used an aerial appliance from Atherton to help tackle the fire but had to remain on scene for over four hours."
The 32 evacuated were given temporary accommodation overnight but some were allowed to return to their homes later - on the proviso that they stay indoors.
Fire officers were still at the scene as the Observer went to press, dampening down the wreckage. The cause is under investigation. Mr Royds added: "Initially, there was some suggestion from eyewitnesses that it had been deliberate."
CLICK on the video link to see footage of the blaze at its height ...
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7/08/2007 at 17:24