A FIRE in a warehouse at an industrial unit in Radcliffe was caused by sparks from engineering works.

Crews were called to a blaze at pulp processing plant Ahlstrom in Sion Street at 9.30am yesterday morning.

Sparks from the works caused hay bales, used in the pulping process, to set alight for four hours before on site sprinklers put out the fire.

The fire caused significant damage to the roof and surrounding wall, deeming the area out of bounds since.

Demolition experts are expected on site tomorrow morning to make the area safe again.

Geoff Lott, engineering manager at Ahlstrom, said: “We were doing some engineering work when some bails caught fire.

“The sprinklers did their job and put the fire out after a few hours but by then it had spread higher up and the one of the walls is now unstable.

“The area is out of bounds until the demolition people come in and make its safe.

“We hope to be starting production again in the morning.”

A fire crew from Bury fire station will remain on site until the morning as a precaution.