Locals across Blackburn have been advised to close windows and doors as a fire rages through an industrial estate.

Multiple explosions have been heard after a blaze started at an industrial estate in Blackburn.

Locals have been warned to keep windows and doors shut by Lancashire Fire and Rescue following the fire at a factory, on Sett End Road West, which is in the southeast of the Lancashire town.

Ten fire appliances were dispatched to the scene and are currently tackling the blaze, which has led to road closures, reports the Mirror.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have 10 fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms and a firefighting robot at a commercial building fire on Sett End Road West, Blackburn.

“Firefighters were called at 00:45 and a number of roads are closed in the local area. There is also a large smoke plume and anyone who can see or smell smoke is strongly advised to close windows and doors. No injuries have been reported.”

Royal Blackburn Hospital is located near the industrial estate, but police have stressed that it remains open. Lancashire Constabulary added streets, including Haslingden Road, are closed or partially closed as firefighters tackle the blaze.

Residents as far as Accrington, which is around seven miles away, can see flames and smoke billow into the sky this morning. One person, thought to be in Accrington, wrote on Facebook: “Huge fire in Blackburn. Anyone living near the factory, call them, wake them up. Tell them to close their windows, in case of smoke inhalation. Get masks on. Might need to evacuate.” The fire service has not officially asked people to leave their homes as yet.

Haslingden Road, which joins the area to the M65 and central Blackburn, was closed completely until around 4am. It has since partially opened, so police have advised motorists to expect delays.

Writing on Facebook, Lancashire Police said: “We want to provide an update. Haslingden Road is now open however is down to one lane in order for the fire service to use their equipment. At the moment Shadsworth Industrial Estate remains closed whilst the fire service tackle the fire. Please avoid this area if you can.”

Someone tweeted: “Explosions been heard, as the fire rips through canisters The fire is spreading quickly.” Another local, who lives in the north of the Lancashire town, posted on X: “I can see a large fire from my Leamington Road residence. The fire looks like its near Blackburn Hospital.”

However, at the time of writing, operations continue at Royal Blackburn Hospital and no one there has had to be evacuated. The hospital, which opened in 2006, has more than 700 beds.

Further tweets and Facebook posts stress the huge scale of the fire, believed to have started at around 12.45am. One person tweeted: “It’s absolutely mental, can see it from my window.” Another shared this morning: It looks so bad, I hope no one is hurt.” It is unclear which building is on fire on Sett End Road West but the road, which is just off the M65, is home to various warehouses and factories. The cause of the inferno also remains unclear at this early stage.