Major fire breaks out again at derelict Haverhill factory

An investigation is being held into the cause of a fire that ravaged an already fire-damaged former engineering factory in Haverhill in the early hours of today.

The blaze at the Atterton & Ellis building in Hamlet Green, on the junction of Sturmer Road and Hamlet Road, was reported at 3.15am.

Fire crews from Haverhill, Linton, Clare, Cambridge and Ixworth attended the incident, where they found the timber construction completely ablaze.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue service confirmed that two hose reels, three main jets and an aerial appliance were used to fight the fire and that it was under control just after 7am.

Cadent (gas) and UKPN (electricity) also attended due to the presence of a live gas main and to confirm electrical safety.

Police remained at scene for security purposes and two fire investigation officers were due to meet with police investigators this morning to try and establish how the fire started.

The site has been empty for six years since Atterton and Ellis' parent company, Bernhard & Company, moved production to Homefield Road in Haverhill.

It was badly damaged by arsonists in November 2016 and, as revealed by the Echo in April, Bernhard & Company has been trying to sell the site to a developer for a potential 40-dwelling housing scheme.

Although the building is owned by Atterton & Ellis the access and car parking area at the front of the property is owned by St Edmundsbury Council and the two parties have been unable to agree a way forward for the sale of the site.