NOSTALGIA: When Portland Mill was ablaze in 1972

Flames leaping 80ft into the air were seen as far away as Stockport as a blaze ripped through Ashton’s Portland Mill.

Eye witnesses said the historic canalside warehouse went up ‘like a torch.’ 

Fire crews from all over South East Lancashire and South East Cheshire battled to control the fire but were unable to get inside the building as conditions were so severe. 

It took five days for the firefighters to complete the damping down. 

Experts were investigating the cause but the extent of the damage hindered inquiries.

The building had been reduced to a shell with the remaining walls deemed so unsafe they had to be demolished.

Thousands of pounds worth of carpets, paints and solvents stored in the warehouse were destroyed, along with two valuable canal boats at their moorings - including a 100-year-old horse-drawn fly boat.

Portland Mill was considered to be of great historic interest and plans to preserve the building and turn it into a maritime museum and possibly a nightclub had been gaining momentum.

Many people could see huge potential for the warehouse looking out on to Portland Basin becoming a focal point for cruising on the restored canal.

The building contained some interesting old machinery and had a 24ft water wheel believed to be unique.

Following the devastating fire, the local historians and heritage campaigners could only hope that one day it would rise phoenix-like from the ashes. 

Their vision was finally realised when the museum was opened in the late 1980s and expanded a decade later to become the gem it is today.