Fire at former club used in Robbie Williams video

Fire crews have urged people to avoid the area

Blackpool residents have been urged to keep their windows shut as firefighters tackle a blaze at a former working men's club once used in a music video for singer Robbie Williams.

Smoke has been seen billowing from the Central Club on Kent Road, which had also been used by criminals to set up a £1m cannabis farm in 2021.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had begun to break through the roof of the derelict building, which was causing a large plume of smoke in the area.

A spokesman said the service said: "We strongly recommend that residents in the nearby area keep windows and doors shut and adhere to the safety cordons we have in place."

Onlookers watched on a smoke billowed out of the former club in Blackpool

No injuries have been reported but the fire service said crews had not been able to access the inside of the building.

Blackpool MP Chris Webb posted a video of the blaze on Facebook and said "the smoke is really bad and is travelling away from the fire rapidly".

Eight fire engines have been seen at the club, with an aerial ladder platform and a water tower being used to bring the fire under control.

The service said a "large smoke plume" had spread in the area and urged people close by who could see or smell the smoke to stay inside and keep windows closed.

Local people have reported seeing and smelling the smoke from miles around

Lancashire Police also told people to avoid the area, particularly Seasiders Way, Kent Road and around South Shore.

The Central Club featured in Williams' 2005 song Advertising Space and was a popular fixture in the seaside resort's club scene.

However, it has been closed for a number of years and was listed for sale at £300,000 in 2019.

In 2021, Lancashire Police found 1,500 cannabis plants and growing equipment in the building and a man from London was arrested.