FIREFIGHTERS battled for hours to save a Farnworth paper mill from going up in flames.
A sharp eyed shift worker raised the alarm after spotting smoke coming from the compressor room at Robert Fletcher's Paper Mill on Market Street.
More than 20 firemen raced to the scene on Saturday and fought to contain the blaze spreading through the mill's network of ventilation ducts.
Three compressors were destroyed and the building was severely smoke-logged.
Workers were forced to evacuate and specialist engineers and electricians were called in to help Farnworth fire fighters at the blaze.
Investigations are still under way as to how the fire, which is expected to have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, started.
No one was available to comment at the factory today.
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