THICK smoke billowed above Bolton town centre and could be seen for miles around when a disused warehouse went up in flames.

Shoppers and office workers stopped to watch as the fire threatened to engulf nearby properties in Hanover Street, off Moor Lane, yesterday morning.

It was the latest in a series of fires at derelict buildings in the area in the space of a month.

At the end of August, an empty shop in Moor Lane was engulfed in flames, again filling the town centre with smoke.

During yesterday's incident, traffic was stopped from travelling along Moor Lane, and Hanover Street was sealed off as up to 40 firefighters fought the blaze.

Station Commander Paul Duggan said: "The fire was well established as fire crews arrived. I could see the smoke as I approached Farnworth.

"Initially firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went inside the building but were withdrawn for their own safety as part of the building started collapsing.

"We had to stop traffic and pedestrians on health and safety grounds. At this stage we are not sure of the cause of the fire but will be launching an investigation."

The fire was brought was brought under control within an hour. Moor Lane was reopened at 3pm.

Firefighters remained at the scene into the evening damping down. Part of the building will be demolished.

David Haines, owner of Coverlite in Hanover Street, said: "This is the third fire in derelict properties in the area in the past three weeks. The buildings are a magnet for yobs. There were three people squatting in one of them for a short time. If you leave empty buildings standing what do you expect?"

Planning applications have been submitted to redevelop the area and build an apartment block.

Hilary Wilkes, who owns the Gipsy's Tent in Deansgate, said: "Fires at derelict buildings in the town centre seem to happening at least once a week. Something needs to be done. My pub is next door to an empty property and I am worried that might be next.

"If buildings are derelict and of no use then they should be demolished immediately so they cannot be targeted.

"It would be nice to hear that something is being done by the council."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We try to encourage owners of disused properties to demolish the buildings. Planning applications have been received to redevelop the area."