A BLAZE at a furniture manufacturer has left a question mark over the firm's future in the premises.

The fire at ESS Chairframes, Vernon Street, Blackburn, gutted the small one-storey building and left firefighters tackling the blaze ten hours later.

Rush-hour traffic was held up as the street was closed off and smoke from the blaze could be seen across town.

Fire chiefs said that the building's contents were not only destroyed but the blaze has left a question mark over the safety of the building's structure.

Inspectors from Blackburn with Darwen Council's building control department visited the site to judge if it was a danger to the public and they needed to cordon off the factory or the whole street.

The Fire Service was called at 7am by Angela Mooney, the owner of Snack Attack, Vernon Street, when she went to work.

Twenty-five firefighters tackled the blaze throughout the day.

Sub Officer Alistair McLean said: "The main work was concerned with removing the stacks of timber from the building so we could get to all of the hot spots.

"We had a bit of concern at one point as we were removing the roof when we found out it was made of asbestos.

"We took the precaution of using breathing apparatus. But we soon found out that it wasn't hazardous."

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, Housing and Neighbourhoods, said: "We've arranged for the building to be fenced off to isolate it until the fire brigade are happy that the fire is under control.

"There will be an inspection today and a way forward will be decided."