POLICE are investigating an arson attack which caused damages of up to half a million pounds at a factory near Stanley last week.

Flames tore through a storage area at the former Ever Ready factory on the Tanfield Lea Industrial estate at 8.30pm on Wednesday, April 24.

Fire crews raced to the scene, but were quickly forced to call in back-up as the fire raged out of control and flames danced up to 50ft in the air.

Tackled at its height by more than 70 firefighters, the fire spewed out a column of smoke, which could be seen from Newcastle, more than ten miles away.

The fire destroyed more than 4,000 bales of rubber and 50,000 litres of oil at the site, now run by E&R Polymers.

A police helicopter equipped with thermal imaging equipment helped firefighters to identify hotspots and a curtain of water was placed between the flames and the main factory plant.

Managers at the plant praised firefighters for saving their main plant from the blaze. And they lauded the actions of factory worker Ron Cloe who donned an oxygen mask and firesuit to forklift dozens of drums of inflammable liquids out of harm's way.

Det Sgt Vic Deanes said: "We are treating the fire as arson. Fire brigade investigators have said there were no natural sources of ignition in the compound that could have started the fire.

"The nature of the rubber also suggests it had to be caused deliberately. Some form of accelerant would have had to be used to set it alight."

Det Sgt Deanes said children were known to play in the storage area, using the rubber to trampoline on. He said police were keen to speak to the driver of an S-registered Bedford flat bed truck, which was seen in the area at about 6pm on Wednesday.

Det Sgt Deanes said: "We are not suggesting the driver had anything to do with the fire. He may have seen something and may be able to help."

Site manager John Meredith said the plant would be evaluating the its security arrangements.

He said: "We have had a number of problems with children who have had to be chased away from the storage area.

"We will be conducting a complete risk assessment on how we can make the premises more secure."

Mr Meredith said it was coincidental that a sister plant in Glossop had suffered a similar - though smaller - fire two weeks ago. Youths had climbed over a fence to set skips alight. Arrests had been made.

Anyone with information can call (01207) 232144.