TWO children, aged nine and six, have been identified as causing £10,000 worth of damage following yesterday's Asda fire.

Shoppers and staff were evacuated from the Asda store in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, after the fire broke out in the outbuilding just after 5pm yesterday.

A police spokesman could not confirm what action had been taken against the children.

The age of criminal reponsibility is 10, but children under that age can be given a 'local child curfew' or a 'child safety order'.

Police and fire chiefs believe the fire in the building – used to store charcoal, plastic boxes and anti-freeze – may have been started deliberately.

Fire crews were quick on the scene to tackle the blaze amid fears it could spread.

Fire Watch manager Louis Cross said: "We believe someone has lit something outside the structure and that has then spread to the charcoal inside. There is a possibility that it was a deliberate act and an investigation is ongoing between the police and ourselves."

Eyewitness Bill Glancy said: "The fire was horrendous. The staff from the supermarket came out with fire extinguishers and made everybody get back. People were really scared – there was lots of black smoke everywhere. The building isn't that far from the petrol station.

"The staff were saying 'get back' and then all of a sudden there was an explosion. I think it came from a bag full of compost. It was really scary, there were lots of plastic bags on fire. The whole building was alight."

Another eyewitness said: "The outdoor sales area on the car park was alight. There were possible canisters of de-icer exploding.

The fire was put out by 6pm and there are not thought to have been any injuries.

A police spokesman confirmed they would be reviewing CCTV footage to discover whether the blaze was started deliberately. Officers were called by the ambulance service to move shoppers away from the area due to the amount of flammable material.