Roof collapses at former snooker hall in Blackburn as blaze rips through the building

The roof of the former John’s Snooker and Pool hall in Blackburn collapsed after it caught fire earlier today.
The roof has collapsed at the building (credit: LFRS)The roof has collapsed at the building (credit: LFRS)
The roof has collapsed at the building (credit: LFRS)

The blaze at the building on Clayton Street started at 9.35am and two crews from Blackburn, one from Darwen and one from Hyndburn, found the two storey engulfed in flames.

Further crews were requested and 12 engines attended the blaze.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The roof of the building collapsed due to the damage and firefighters were still working to bring the fire under control late into the afternoon.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said earlier: “There was a significant smoke plume in the area and we advised people out and about in the locality to stay indoors and close windows and doors as a precaution.

“ Police are continuing inquiries to establish whether any persons were in the building when the fire started.”

At the latest update a spokesman said: "Firefighters now have the fire under control and are working to fully extinguish the fire and dampen down any remaining hotspots.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The number of fire engines at the scene has been reduced to nine and we are still utilising the two aerial ladder platforms and stinger to get water onto the scene. Approximately twenty residents have been evacuated to a nearby sports centre as precaution in case of further building collapse.

"We are still working alongside colleagues from Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service with regards to the possibility that people were in the building at the time of the fire.

"The cause of the fire is not yet known and an investigation will begin as soon as possible. Crews are likely to remain in attendance well into the afternoon ensuring the fire is fully extinguished.

"There is still some smoke in the area and we again advise anyone in the locality affected by the smoke where possible stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution."