AN investigation has been launched after a house fire in Accrington this afternoon.

Fire crews from Hyndburn, Darwen and Burnley tackled the blaze at a property in Derby Street at around 4pm.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the property after initial reports that people were trapped inside.

A full search of the house found no-one inside.

A portable fan unit was used to extract the smoke and heat.

No casualties have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.