THE cause of a blaze which ripped through a Failsworth mill destroying a gym owned by former world boxing champion Anthony Crolla is under investigation.

Firefighters were still on the scene at Morton Mill this morning (Monday, March 30), 24 hours after the blaze engulfed the building sending flames and smoke high into the dawn sky.

The crew from Hollins station were first on the scene to arrive after receiving the call at 5.23am.

When they got there they found the three-storey multi-occupancy mill well alight.

They called for eight more appliances and two aerial platforms to fight the fire.

Watch commander Andrew Turner told The Oldham Times: "Debris and embers were flying all over the place, and paqrt of the building collapsed on to the Metrolink line, causing us to halt the trams services.

"We managed to protect nearby buildings and we advised nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed."

Last night, a demolition crew was called in to make the building safe.

Nearby roads were also closed as crews fought the blaze.

The were no injuries to the crew and no-one is believed to have been trapped in the building, although police are now probing the cause of the blaze.

It is understood there were about 10 small businesses including several gyms - one owned and run by Crolla - were based at the mill.