A GRADE II-listed mansion was set on fire in Rawtenstall last night.

Firefighters were called to the historic Victorian house, in Bury Road, at around midnight.

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Rubbish and building materials were on fire in the downstairs main ballroom of Horncliffe Mansion.

Previously, the 11-bedroom property has been used as a care home and most recently, as a hotel and wedding venue.

Two squatters were found in the building by fire crews.

Rawtenstall crew manager Stephen Morley said: "We do not know how it started.

"There were two smouldering piles of rubbish on fire which we put out with a bucket of water.

"The safety in the building is ridiculous.

"There are holes in the floor and walls missing.

"If anyone is thinking of trespassing it is very dangerous.

"The owners of the property are apparently boarding up the building every day because there are so many people going in and out all the time."

One fire engine from Rawtenstall and another from Greater Manchester attended the incident.

Police attended the scene to assist with the squatters and help them to find alternative accommodation.

A police spokeswoman said: "The fire service made us aware that they were attending a fire at a derelict building at 12.30pm.

"Someone from the estate was going to secure the building."