Firefighters tackling the blaze at the Opium Nightclub in Accrington.
A NIGHTCLUB was severely damaged in a suspicious blaze which closed off part of Accrington town centre in 2004.
A cloud of smoke swept over the area as 50 firefighters tackled the fire at the Opium nightclub, Willow Street.
Fire crews were called at 4.30pm after passers-by saw smoke coming through the roof of the three-storey building.
An investigation has been launched after police and fire experts said they believed the blaze may have been started deliberately.
Several roads around the building were sealed off for safety reasons, causing major rush hour traffic problems.
Area commander Mick Frankland said: “The fire broke through the roof quite quickly and there is a considerable amount of damage.”
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