PART of an iconic former pub was destroyed when a blaze tore through it.

Firefighters were called the Bull and Butcher, in Manchester Road, Burnley, after reports the wooden extension at the back was on fire.

They received the call shortly after 2.30am today and crews from Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley spent around an hour bringing the fire under control.

The extension was destroyed, but the pub building was only slightly damaged.

The teams finally left the scene around 6am after damping the area down and carrying out an investigation.

Crew manager Simon Wright said: “We are investigating how the fire started, but the police have been informed and we are looking at the possibility it was deliberate.”