Ex-Early's building on fire (From Witney Gazette)

Ex-Early's building on fire

2:39pm Friday 3rd March 2006 in Witney

IT took more than 50 firefighters just under 90 minutes to bring the flames under control at the former Early's blanket building, in Witney Police closed off the surrounding roads, and crews from Oxford, Woodstock and Didcot were called to the warehouse at about 2.17pm on Wednesday, March1.

Smoke from the fire could be seen across Witney. The warehouse, in Woodford Way, which measures about 75m by 50m, was empty, apart from some office equipment, and an investigation is under way to establish if the blaze was started by arsonists. No one was hurt.

Incident commander, assistant divisional officer Ashley Gurr, said: "The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be suspicious."

But Tim Wiseman, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said: "The fire has not yet been investigated as an arson.

"Police did attend, but there was nothing for scenes-of-crime officers to see."

Early's finished production in 2002. It was the last remaining blanket factory in the town.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be suspicious."

Incident commander, assistant divisional officer Ashley Gurr

The industry, which dated back to the 17th century, was once Witney's major employer, with mills dotted around the town.

In September 2003, the mill in Burford Road was demolished to make way for houses.