FIRE chiefs say a blaze at a former dressing gown factory in Blaenavon was started deliberately.

South Wales Fire Service divisional officer Mick Flanagan said: "This was a deliberate ignition of a pile of rubbish but it was a very small fire.

"It's undoubtedly kids getting in and out of the building."

The former Ark International factory on Forgeside Road, Blaenavon - which was also known as Candlewicks or Andrew Russell's - has been empty since a fire on March 2 this year caused more than £200,000 of damage.

And though the fire service described yesterday's second fire as minor, the building is likely to remain derelict until the insurance claim for the March blaze is settled.

The factory's former tenants Ark International went into liquidation last month, said Phil Richards of Torfaen's economic development office.

He added: "I understand that Ark International were in effect only renting the property, and I believe the building is in the hands of the receivers."

According to the Bristol-based property agents Atis Real Weatherall who manage the site, future plans will be determined by settlement of the insurance claim for March's blaze.

Spokesman Robert Evans said: "The short answer is that we are still in discussion with the insurers, and that will decide the building's future, whether we flatten or rebuild it. But at present it's not in a state for us to do anything with it."

So until the claim is settled, the building will remain derelict.

Police initially said the fire was not thought to be suspicious.

But later, Detective Sergeant Jim Walker of Pontypool CID said: "As far as I'm aware nothing conclusive came out of the first fire, so I don't think there's been any police involvement.

"And the fire service have confirmed that this second fire was nothing more than scraps of rubbish, so as far as we're concerned there's no further action for the police to take.

"But no matter how small the fire, you never know what the outcome will be. It can always lead to a bigger and more dangerous problem. Most of those setting fires are youngsters, so it's down to the parents to make sure they've got no matches, lighters, lighter fuel or anything else."