Firefighters from Blackburn, Hyndburn and Darwen were called to assist with a multi-agency incident in Preston last night, as a large fire ripped through a commercial building.

Crews from across East Lancs attended the blaze at the commercial property on Frank Street, which started just after 9pm.

People were evacuated from their homes and emergency service workers had to ask those in a nearby mosque to leave, as smoke from the fire spread.

Three aerial ladder platforms and 14 fire engines attended with more than 100 firefighters helping tackle the blaze.

Crews managed to get the fire under control by midnight and at 2.30 this morning people were allowed back into their homes.

Area Manager Ben Norman said: "The fire that started in a large building has engulfed that building. Firefighting crews will be here for many hours but that building sadly will be lost."

Earlier this morning, the number of fire engines at the scene was reduced to four and later today an investigation will get underway to establish the cause of the fire, which completely destroyed the commercial property.