AROUND sixty firefighters have been working through the night to bring a building fire under control.

Crews were called to the Smallshaw Industrial Estate on Accrington Road in Burnley just after midnight following reports of a fire breaking out within a commercial property.

it is now understood that the fire took hold within Equestrian Surfaces Ltd, a company which makes the material which is used for surfacing arenas and schools for horse riding. 

At the height of the blaze early this morning, around 60 firefighters from crews all across Lancashire were in attendance tackling the blaze with specialist equipment.

The fire has now been bought under control and only four crews remain at the scene.

A spokesman said: “Firefighters from Burnley and Nelson were called to reports of a fire involving a commercial premise on Accrington Road, Burnley shortly after midnight.

"On arrival they found a significant fire involving a building approximately 40m by 20m.

"Further firefighting support has been requested to assist with an additional five fire engines requested at the incident including: Colne, Great Harwood, a second crew from Nelson and Hyndburn, Rawtenstall, two aerial ladder platforms (ALP) from Hyndburn and Morecambe, the high volume pump (HVP) from Burnley and the stinger appliance from Skelmersdale.

"The command support unit from Blackburn and aerial support unit are also in attendance. 

"There is a large smoke plume being produced by the fire and any residents living nearby being affected by the smoke are advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution. Anyone travelling in the locality are advised to avoid the area."

The latest update, published at 6am read: “Fire crews have surrounded the fire and the incident is now being reduced to four fire engines with the stinger, one ALP and the HVP still in use too.

“Fire crews will be working to extinguish small pockets of fire as the morning progresses.”