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About 70 fire fighters are tackling a large fire at an A-listed building in Renfrewshire.

The blaze, at Paton's Mill in Johnstone, has already destroyed most of the A-listed building. The roof and most of the walls have already collapsed at the site on Monday afternoon.

Residents in nearby properties have been warned to stay indoors as embers from the fire drift more than 100 yards from the building.

The building was empty and dates back to 1782 when it was reportedly the first machine factory in the world. It was last used in 2004 as a lace manufacturer.

Emergency crews are at the scene of the fire in Main Street with 11 appliances already at the scene of the major blaze.

A Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spokesman said the building is "fully engulfed" by fire and most of the building has already gone.

Alan Fairbairn said: "Most of the building has collapsed with around 70 fire fighters tackling the blaze with ten standard and one specialist appliance, which is using a high volume pump linked to a nearby river."

He also revealed that due to the wind direction a number of embers from the blaze were blowing towards neighbouring areas and starting small, secondary fires.

Mr Fairbairn added: "We have not evacuated any residents but warned them to keep their windows closed."

The blaze is the second in a matter of months. Fire Crews tackled a large fire at the site in April.

Prince of Wales

A delegation from the Prince of Wales Development Network was due to visit the site in Johnstone in May as part of a plan to save the structure.

It was part of a £30,000 feasibility study into regenerating the mill being carried out by the Prince's Regeneration Trust on behalf of Renfrewshire Council.

Renfrewshire Council had spent £25,000 sealing the mill's windows and doors in an effort to protect the iconic building from fire-starters and thieves, who had started to remove lead flashing from the roof.

Leader of the council, Derek Mackay, said: "We have building standards staff on site. They will assess the damage to the building to see what can be salvaged. This is a major disappointment and a serious blow to our efforts to protect an important part of Scotland's industrial heritage."

The mill, in High Street, was originally a cotton spinning factor but later used as a lace manufacturer, where production stopped in 2004.

It was built by the Corse and Burns Company and then taken over by Paton's in 1896 when their first factory in Clark Street was destroyed by fire.

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The end of this historic building surely came to a end tonight at 7.11pm as the whole front facade of the building collapsed to the ground. chimney and ends of building still standing. Embers have been flying everywhere and morrisons petrol station is closed as a result.

Patons mill fire pics on line now

www.flickr.com/photos/historicalpaisley/sets/72157624051360391/

Sad to report Reigart demolition were called in to start demolition work on the mill, a sad day in johnstone history

VERY SAD WE,AND AS IVE STATED IN ANOTHER POST,WE COULD SEE THAT COMING THINGS LIKE THIS JUST SHOULD NOT HAPPEN,STEPS WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN QUICKLY BEFORE WE LOSE ALL OUR OLD HISTORIC BUILDINGS!!

Sad another piece of history gone.

www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/2010/06/02...mill-87085-26566503/