Blackburn road closed as car crashes into shop front

The incident happened on Johnston Street this afternoon (Monday June 12) and traffic was closed in both directions as police and emergency services dealt with the crash.

A people carrier could be seen wedged into the front of the unnamed shop between CJ’s Hairdressers and the Ghosia Islamic Centre. 

Police had closed the road at the junction with Montague Street and at Shaw Street further down. The road will be closed for several hours and road users were asked to avoid the area.

It appears the vehicle was travelling down Higson Street and crashed into the property. It does not appear anyone was seriously injured.

Fire Service crews were checking the underside of the vehicle and the structure of the building front.

A man who lives inside the property told the Lancashire Telegraph he heard a huge bang and thought the ceiling had collapsed.

He said: "I was lucky I was in the back of the house. I normally store things at the front and I was due to come in and tidy things up.

"If I had been in there I may not be speaking to you.

"I managed to get out of thee property from the back exit."

The property used to be a grocers but was not used as a house.

Much-loved and popular haridresser Chandrakant Jetha who runs CJ's was in his shop when the accident happened.

Alongside other business owners he was evacuated from their premesis as were all the businesses along the section were closed.

A section of Johnston Street has been closed off

Muhammed who runs the Grillish takeaway, which is based a few doors down said they were due to open at 3pm.

He said: "All the shops have been closed. We will have to wait for the police cordon to be lifted before we can enter the takeaway.

"It can't be helped. We are glad nobody was seriously injured."

A recovery vehicle had lifted the car out of the property at 3.30pm and local business owners were allowed back to their properties. Further checks were being carried out at the property.

Fire crews were at the scene of the incident quickly in these pictures sent in by Mo Patel.