Four fire engines sent to tackle chimney blaze at Baxi factory in South Ribble

Fire crews from Bamber Bridge, Leyland and Penwortham rushed to a fire involving a chimney on Club Street at around 2.58pm today (March 20).

The fire is believed to be at Baxi factory in Bamber Bridge, according to eyewitnesses.

The chimney, which fire crews believe is approximately 100ft tall, was in the process of being demolished before it caught fire.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue service have now confirmed that they are "cutting through the chimney to get access to extinguish the fire."

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: "A fire involving a chimney approximately 100ft tall is on fire.

"We were called at around 2.58pm.

"The chimney was currently in the process of being demolished.

"Four fire engines from Bamber Bridge, Leyland and Penwortham are at the scene."

Dramatic images from the scene show workers cutting through the chimney as flames and black smoke billow from the top.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.