TEN thousand pallets and a lorry went up in smoke in a spectacular blaze in Padiham.

Fifty firefighters tackled the blaze at Pendle Pallets, Park Road.

Company director Richard Mort said: "There were between 10,000 and 11,000 pallets and a wagon which have all gone.

"It also caused damage to the exteriors of two buildings and there's smoke damage inside. I can't put a value on it at this stage, but I have never seen anything like it. Fortunately the wind changed at the right time to help stop it spreading."

Mr Mort added: "We have no idea what started it. Three of us work here buying, selling and repairing pallets but we had left when it started. We have been here seven or eight years. He added: "We are getting people in today to clean up the mess and then it is back to business on Tuesday."

Fire crews were alerted at 4.20pm and firefighters were at the scene for four hours.

Eight pumps plus support vehicles from all over East Lancashire attended.

Leading Firefighter Nick Sutcliffe said: "When we got there about 1,000 pallets were alight and the wind was making it spread rapidly towards the buildings. It spread very fast through the pallets. Water pressure is quite low in that area and we had three appliances pumping water from the nearby river.

"Once we got the water we were winning but it took about 90 minutes to bring it under control." Mr Sutcliffe said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. He could not say whether it was suspicious or not.