THE heart of Macclesfield was set to blow after arsonists torched a derelict building just yards from the town's gasworks.

Forty-five firefighters heroically battled against time - and danger - to put out the inferno as it ripped through the giant crumbling factory on Black Lane.

Crews from stations across Cheshire brought the flames under control in just three hours after fighting against 957 square yards of highly combustible materials.

Any longer and the blaze could have been in danger of spreading to nearby buildings - not to mention the neighbouring gas station.

A fire chief said later: "Had the weather been different and there had been any wind, the story could have been quite different."

Firefighters using breathing apparatus braved thick, black billowing smoke to inch their way forward along rotting floorboards, peppered with holes, to reach the seat of the fire.

And while the fire raged across the roof fed by wooden panelling and other combustible materials, flaming pieces of debris cascaded from the ceiling.

Outside, firefighters on a 82ft hydraulic platform were lowered into the heart of the fire to combat it from above using water from the River Bollin.

And firefighters used thermal imaging to detect hotspots inside the building - the home of the former Barracks Fabrics Printing Company.

Macclesfield fire chief Bob Davies, who led the 45-strong team battling the blaze, said: "We were chasing the fire from room to room because it was spreading so fast.

"The conditions inside the building were very dangerous for the crews committed.

"They had to overcome holes in floors, thick black smoke, and a major fire spreading quickly.

"There were no injuries which is a godsend because you can imagine it was quite nasty putting out that sort of fire.

"Of course there were a few cuts and bruises but that's to be expected.

"If the wind had been high it could have been a lot worse and we would have had a different tactical plan."

The huge rambling building, which shut down in the late Eighties, was not completely destroyed thanks to huge efforts by firefighters who raced in from all corners of Cheshire - Macclesfield, Poynton, Bollington, Knutsford, Buxton, Wilmslow and Congleton on Saturday afternoon.

Andy Olive, who owns radio control car club Macc Track next door, said: "A friend told me about the fire so I went down to turn off the electricity which powers the whole building.

"I don't think the firefighters realised it was still on - I dread to think what could have happened if it had been left on with all the water they were using.

"And with the gas towers so close it was a little bit concerning.

"If the fire brigade had not arrived when they did who knows what might have happened?"

Senior Divisional Officer Geoff Hayes said: "Firefighters were faced with a very difficult fire which was made harder because it was spreading through the roof voids.

"They had to do a lot of cutting away in difficult circumstances.

"They did an extremely good job - I was suitably impressed."

Bob Davies warned: "Children are often seen in there. To set fire to this kind of building is a very dangerous practice.

"They not only endangered themselves but the firefighters too. I wouldn't like to think of my kids playing in there."

A Transco spokeswoman said safety devices were incorporated into the tanks at the nearby gasworks whereby gas was released into the atmosphere when in contact with intense heat.