FAMILIES have told how they had to leave their houses with nothing more than their clothes they were wearing after a fire broke out in an large disused mill.

People living in homes closest to the blazing four-storey mill in Parrot Street, Daubhill were evacuated when emergency services cordoned off the area when they were called out at 5am this morning. The blaze ripped through the 75m x 20m building, destroying the roof.

At the height of the blaze 60 firefighters were on the scene with 11 fire engines and three aerial appliances.

Their fast action stopped the blaze from spreading to a nearby business.

People living in seven properties were asked to leave the area. Some were taken to the nearby McDonald's restaurant while others went to stay with relatives nearby, until the building was declared safe enough for them to return to their homes at about 10am. The street remained cordoned off and the council buildings inspector remained on the scene throughout the day.

The fire service were called by resident, Julie Muschamp who saw the building was on fire.

She said: "I was half awake and notice an orange light flashing, it was like the lights on a recovery vehicle.

"I looked out and saw flames coming out of second floor window, it was just one window when I saw it — I can't believe how quickly it took hold.

"I phoned the fire service. We were worried because the building is close. I heard this almighty bang and thought 'that's it, I need to get dressed'."

Her husband, David Muschamp added: "I went out to move the cars, I moved them down the street and then went out to move the cars round the back. We couldn't move the caravan, but it is okay."

Mrs Muschamp said: "We were told to keep the windows shut, and then we were told we had to leave the house because there were concerns that the wall was leaning.

"We went to my mum's who lives nearby. We had nothing but the clothes we had on. We went to Sainsbury's for breakfast. We are just very tired now."

A 30-year-old resident, who did not wish to be named, also stayed with family. She said: "I have two children, aged three and four, and they wanted to stay and watch the firefighters but I went to my mum's."

Samantha Worsley, aged 25, said she and her two boys, aged five and seven, were awoken by the emergency services.

She said: "My boys were quite scared seeing all the flashing blue lights. The fire service did offer reassurance, I asked if I should leave the property because of the safety of the two boys but I was told I could stay in.

"The roof came off the building, you can see the bricks on the road.

"The residents behind have had to be evacuated. The roads round here are closed and it will be a struggle to get to work

Crews remained on the scene throughout the day, pouring water from an aerial appliance into the building.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is now under way.

Station manager, firefighter Paul Duggan said: "The building is relatively empty and when I turned up it was engulfed in fire, it was all showing in all the windows of all floors

He said firefighters had gone into a building containing bales of material near to the burning building and found the fire breaking through windows. He said firefighters stopped the blaze from spreading by using water sprays.

He said: "We limited extra damage to an adjacent property and the impact on that business, on jobs and people's livelihoods, and also prevented a larger incident."

The operation was scaled down by the afternoon, though firefighters remained on the scene throughout the day.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “We supported the fire service with the evacuation of nearby residents and liaised with Bolton at Home, as they manage some of the properties. Residents were allowed back in to their homes later on in the morning. We will continue to provide ongoing assistance to them as required.

“A building control officer was also called out at 7am and inspected the building and the remaining structure does not pose any immediate danger. We will be talking to the owners in relation to them making the required repairs or alternatively to demolish the building."

Residents said the building was formerly owned by football star Francis Lee which relocated to Trafford Park in 1998.

The England and Bolton Wanderers star’s company FH Lee Ltd had a toilet roll factory in Parrot Street.

Mr Lee, who hails from Westhougthon, set up his paper converting firm in 1971 with around half a dozen employees, making items such as toilet rolls and kitchen towels.