These were the scenes as firefighters battled a blaze in Church Street on Monday afternoon (December 26):
![Flames could be pouring out of the second floor of the Nail Emporium as thick smoke filled the air.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg5MzQyMDUxLTA3OGEtNGU4My04ZjY4LTg4YjFmNGM5ZTg2Mzo5YjMzNmQ0YS1kNWIwLTQ1M2MtODg0ZS1mZmFkYTM4NjUyNGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Plumes of smoke fill the air
Flames could be pouring out of the second floor of the Nail Emporium as thick smoke filled the air. Photo: National World
![Lancashire Police advised residents to avoid the area around Corporation Street, Abingdon Street, Coronation Street and the Promenade.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVkM2VkZGMyLTFiMWEtNDc4Yi1hYzEzLTVmZmMzZGYyZGE3MDpiYzY2NTFhOS1kOTk5LTRmNTYtOGMxZS1hYmFlZjJlZWE5ZmE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Firefighters tackling the flames
Lancashire Police advised residents to avoid the area around Corporation Street, Abingdon Street, Coronation Street and the Promenade. Photo: National World
![Crews remained in attendance at around 3.20pm.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYzNDc5ZWU0LWFhNGQtNDUzZC05MzhlLWQ1YzRiM2FhYzlkOTo1YzNlMjU2My1lYTk3LTQwYjktYmNmYS05MDk2MWMwMzIwYzI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Firefighting operations continue
Crews remained in attendance at around 3.20pm. Photo: National World
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