Fire causes severe damage in row of Burnley shops (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Fire causes severe damage in row of Burnley shops

10:54am Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

MORE than 30 firefighters were called to tackle a blaze in the roof space of a row of shops in Burnley overnight.

Fire officers arrived in Bull Street shortly after 11pm after receiving calls about smoke coming from the roof of a barbers shop.

When crew arrived they discovered the blaze was in the roof space of the property and that it had spread to two adjoining properties.

Six crews spent four hours tackling the blaze with breathing apparatus and hose reels.

A mobile fire station was also set up at the scene and an aerial ladder platform was drafted in to help firefighters to spray water on the flames from above.

Damage to the contents of the shops which also included a sandwich shop and a solicitors was protected with tarpaulin after fire officers forced entry to the properties.

The roof and inner structure of the buildings were severely affected by the fire which is thought to have started because of an electrical fault.

The properties have now all been made water tight with tarpaulin.

The shop owners will be meeting with fire investigators will be meeting with the shop owners this morning to talk them through the damage.

Watch manager Neil Ashworth said: “Six fire engines worked throughout the night to put out the fire.

“An investigation has already been carried out and the cause of the fire has been traced to an electrical fault.”

• Did you take any photos of the fire? Contact our newsdesk on 01254 298220 or email lt_editorial@nqnw.co.uk