A BOLTON business has been forced to shut after the third fire in two years.

Devastated director Alan Mann has been forced to close the metal fabrications section of his company Centredart Ltd after a massive blaze last night.

It took 25 firemen to control the blaze in the roof and the empty first floor of the mill complex off Tippinges Road, Astley Bridge.

They managed to stop the flames spreading to the ground floor premises of Centredart fabrications, but water and smoke caused an estimated £60,000 damage to the machinery and fittings.

The company, which has eight employees and makes conveyor belts for the bakery industry, has been on the site for 25 years.

Mr Mann, a former employee who bought the business 14 years ago, is hoping to find another site to restart the business but is waiting to talk to his insurers and landlord.

He blames work to open up of the Tonge Valley in a bid to revitalise the Halliwell area for his problems.

He said: "For most of the 25 years we had no trouble.

"Then within the past two years we have had three fires and numerous break-ins.

"The last two fires were started deliberately. In August somebody poured diesel under the roof tiles and set it alight.

"I expect when the investigations have been completed it will be the same story with this one."

The once thriving mill complex at Watersmeetings is the subject of a compulsory purchase order.

It is next to the site earmarked by developers, City Challenge and the council, for a multi-million pound leisure development and multi-screen cinema.

Centredart Fireplaces have been untouched by the blaze and will be carrying on business as normal.

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