People had to flee their homes when fire swept through the top floor of a three-storey disused factory in Burton Latimer yesterday afternoon. Half a dozen people living around the building in Bakehouse Lane were evacuated after fears that the factory walls might collapse.

The fire, which is believed to have been deliberately started, broke out at 2pm on the top floor and had taken hold by the time the fire brigade had arrived. Four fire crews from Kettering, Burton Latimer and Irthlingborough spent more than four hours fighting the blaze. Firemen using breathing appuratus went inside the building to get fire under control.

Mr Peter Sharp, who has a hairdresser's shop opposite said: "I heard a noise like a brick going through a greenhouse, looked out and the whole top floor was alight. The fire brigade was here within two or three minutes. By the time they got here, the whole top floor was well alight. Children have been playing in the factory almost every day since it was emptied about six months ago."

Det Insp Frank Spokes of Kettering police said: " We are treating this as arson. Three juveniles have been interviewed in connection with the fire and a report will be sent to the Chief Constable."