AN HGV lorry and five cars were destroyed last night as a fierce fire swept through a motor vehicle workshop in Nelson.

Firefighters were called to Pendle Autobreakers, in Marsden Mill, Brunswick Street, at 7.56pm after a lorry driver parked near the mill saw smoke.

When they arrived the the two-storey unit was well alight.

Smoke was billowing from the mill and it is believed everything within the unit has been destroyed.

Firefighters were still at the scene this morning because of concerns the roof may collapse.

Assistant Divisional Officer Brian Cain said: "We did manage to contain the fire within that unit and were successful in stopping it spreading in to the premises either side, one which manufactures showers and an upholsterers on the other side.

"We used six pumps, an aerial ladder platform ladder, incident support unit and the environmental protection unit.

"Our main priority was to protect the adjoining units by setting a water relay to get water to the fire and then protecting the other units.

"There were also cylinders of propane gas, used for welding, inside the building so we also had to deal with that.

"We have to go through cooling the cylinders down and making sure they are completely safe before we can gain full access to the building."

Inquiries are continuing in to how the fire started, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

A surveyor was expected to visit the mill today to inspect the damage to the unit.

The owner of the workshop refused to comment.