Derelict building fire in Blackburn

Date: 15/03/2020

Time: 09:35:00

Address: Clayton Street, Blackburn

Incident Number: 2003004593

Eight fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms have been called to a fire involving a derelict building on Clayton Street, Blackburn. Firefighters are using breathing apparatus, jets and hose reels to extinguish the fire in the building. A number of roads in the area have been closed and local residents should keep windows and doors shut if they can smell smoke.

update: 11:00hrs

Firefighters were called to reports of a derelict building on fire on Clayton Street, Blackburn at around 09:35hrs. Two crews from Blackburn, one from Darwen and one from Hyndburn attended and found a two storey building approximately 25 x 30m well alight. Further crews were requested including two Aerial Ladder Platforms and a further eight fire engines.

There are currently 12 fire engines in attendance including the Stinger and aerial support unit. The roof of the building has now collapsed and firefighters are still working to bring the fire under control. There is a significant smoke plume in the area and we are advising people out and about in the locality to stay indoors and close windows and doors as a precaution. Police are continuing inquiries to establish whether any persons were in the building when the fire started.
Fire crews in conjunction with police and NWAS colleagues are planning to evacuate a small number of local residents due to potential collapse. Further incident details will be provided when they are available.
update 13:30
Firefighters now have the fire under control and are working to fully extinguish the fire and dampen down any remaining hotspots. The number of fire engines at the scene has been reduced to nine and we are still utilising the two aerial ladder platforms and stinger to get water onto the scene. Approximately twenty residents have been evacuated to a nearby sports centre as precaution in case of further building collapse. We are still working alongside colleagues from Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service with regards to the possibility that people were in the building at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is not yet known and an investigation will begin as soon as possible. Crews are likely to remain in attendance well into the afternoon ensuring the fire is fully extinguished. There is still some smoke in the area and we again advise anyone in the locality affected by the smoke where possible stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
Update: 15:30hrs The number of fire engines at the scene has been further reduced to five and two aerial appliances. Firefighters remain at the scene damping down.