THIS week in Looking Back we travel back 40 years to a huge fire in Warrington.

The blaze at the old Laportes factory off Chester Road in 1984 was the second within a couple of years.

The fire started in the oxidization plant.

Fears were it could be devastating to people living nearby so some 200 people were evacuated.

While the rail line, the Manchester Ship Canal and Chester Road as well as some smaller roads were closed.

More than 100 firefighters attended with dozens of engines and crews used water from the canal to help fight the fire.

It took four hours to get it under control.

The plant was later rebuilt with larger space around it.

Do you remember the fire?

Get in touch with us at Looking Back, Warrington Guardian, 240 Cygnet Court, Centre Park, Warrington, WA1 1PP.