BURNING bitumen at a derelict mill filled the skies over Bury with smoke.

As workmen were getting Elton Cop Dyeworks Mill in Walshaw Road ready for demolition on Sunday afternoon, they tried to use a gas blow torch to dismantle an old water tank. However, bitumen in the water tank caught fire and caused smoke to billow out over the surrounding area.

Leading Firefighter Glyn Smith said although there was a lot of smoke, little damage was caused by the fire.

"The smoke came from the bitumen burning off," he said. "We needed to be at the mill for about 30 minutes to sort it out."