Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze at a retail shopping centre in Blackburn.

People have been evacuated from Blackburn Retail and Leisure Park off Lower Audley Street as emergency services cordon off the area.

Crowds of people could be seen being ushered away from the area at the B & M Bargains store near to the Halfords store and Blackburn Ice Arena.

One Twitter user posted:

Plumes of smoke could be seen across town and traffic was being diverted away from Lower Audley Street which runs parallel to the area.

The fire is believed to have started after 8pm today (Saturday May 6).

Here is a video of the fire sent in to the LT.

A witness said: “People have been moved away from the site quite quickly and there are a lot of fire engines here.

“The fire appears to be behind one of the shopping retail outlets.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The fire appears to be near to the B & M Bargains Store close to the Ice Arena. These images were taken from behind the store from Lower Audley Street. (Pictures Zeeshan/LT)

Lancashire Telegraph:

Another driver who was driving past the area said: “Lower Audley Street was blocked off.”

The retail park has the JYSK store, Costa Coffee and Burger King as well as the B & M Bargains store and Halfords.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lancashire Fire and Rescue posted: "We currently have six fire engines attending a commercial building fire on Lower Audley Street, Blackburn. Firefighting operations are underway.

"If you can see or smell smoke, please keep your windows and doors closed. Please avoid the area."

The area is here (below) in the same shopping retail centre as the Blackburn Asda.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Around ten fire engines were at the scene at around 10pm with the shopping area, including access to the Asda store cordoned off. Access to the Townsmoor Retail Park which is opposite and the Vue Cinemas was unaffected.

Emergency services had appeared to have brought the fire under control but people were still being ushered away from the area.

A further update from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service at 10.30pm read: "We now have ten fire engines, two aerial ladder platform and the stinger appliance in attendance. The drone team is also in attendance, please do not fly drones nearby as you will obstruct emergency operations.

"The water bowser and high volume pump are also in attendance. Firefighters are using ground monitors, two ventilation unit, two jets hose reel jets and one hose reel and the aerial ladder platforms to bring the fire under control."

An update from the Blackburn With Council Roads team read (10pm): "Due to the ongoing Fire at Blackburn Retail Park, there are several Road Closures and restrictions in place to assist the Emergency Services whilst they deal with the incident.

"Lower Audley Street from Bennington Street to Park Road is closed. Those visiting Peel Retail Park for Nandos, Vue, Pizza Hut etc., can exit via Darwen Street Bridge/Park Road.

"Park Road is reduced to a single lane. Traffic can use the outside lane and go via Russell Street.

"Grimshaw Park from Mosley Street to Russell Street is closed."

Lancashire Telegraph:

This was the scene this evening at around 10pm. The Blackburn Ice Arena Car park was also closed off.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lower Audley Street was closed to traffic (below) but the cordon was lifted here after 10.30pm.

Lancashire Telegraph: