EYEWITNESSES have described the moment a fire broke out at a ‘popular’ fish and chip shop.

People reported seeing smoke billowing from Pisces Traditional Fish and Chips building in High Street, Rishton.

Crews from Padiham, Blackburn, Nelson and Clitheroe were called to the blaze at around 5.20pm on Tuesday.

Firefighters fought the fire which started on a chip cooking range for almost two hours.

The fire caused smoke damage to the chip shop which is currently closed. 

One eyewitness, who was near the scene shortly after the fire started, said: “There was lots of black smoke coming from the chip shop.

“I saw four fire engines but the crews weren’t there for that long.”

A shop worker on the High Street said: “My daughter was on her way to work at about 25 minutes past five and text my husband to say the chip shop was on fire.

“I went past the chip shop later at around 7.30pm and the fire crews had gone, the windows were just blacked out from the inside.

“It’s only been open a couple of years and is popular with people in Rishton.”

Another eyewitness said: “I live nearby and heard about the fire,

“I got there and saw smoke and a fire engine.

“I heard later that they’d closed the road off and that traffic was building up.”

A resident on the High Street said: “I just saw a fire engine and that the area had been taped off.”

A fire service spokesman said: “The fire broke out on a chip cooking range.

“Firefighters used two breathing apparatus, hose reel, ventilation unit.

“They were at the scene for an hour and 45 minutes.

“There were no reports of anyone getting hurt.”