Adlington fire: Blaze tears through storage warehouse

Thermal imaging pictures reveal the extent of the fire

Firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a Lancashire warehouse.

The "well-developed fire" broke out at about 23:40 GMT on Sunday in Market Street, Adlington, Chorley.

At its height, 12 fire engines were at the commercial premises used for storing furnishings, a paint shop and metal recycling facility.

About 20 people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution and sought refuge in a nearby pub. Fire crews have since brought the fire under control.

Resident Linda Kenyon, who was still in the pub in her pyjamas on Monday morning, said: "Everybody hammered on everybody's doors to get out. I grabbed my dog, put my shoes on and went down to the end [of the road]."

Her neighbour Rachel Entwistle said the building "went up very, very quickly".

Kevin Rushmere, who is self-employed, said he was having to take the day off work

Kevin Rushmere, who also lives nearby, said he "rescued the dog and some beer and awaited further instructions from the fire brigade".

Mr Rushmere, who is self-employed, said he could not get to his vehicle to get to his tools and was having to take the day off work.

"We have no idea what state the house is in," he said. "We know the back windows are cracked due to the heat and we suspect the plastic fascias are gone."

Fire crews remain on site damping down

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley, tweeted that Chorley Council was "working to accommodate residents if they are unable to return home tonight".

Jon Charters, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), said the building, which measures about 3,500 sq m, was well alight when crews arrived.

Market Street is closed in both directions near the White Bear roundabout, but the railway line has not been affected.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Fire crews were at the commercial premises throughout the night

Some people were told to leave their homes and took shelter in a nearby pub