CoolKit Burnley building destroyed in massive fire

Firefighters received the call at around 3.20pm, and by the time they arrived at the unit, on Farrington Place, in Farrington Road industrial estate, thick black smoke was already billowing into the sky, and the fire was well alight. 

Eight fire engines from Burnley, Hyndburn, Nelson, Bacup, Rawtenstall, Fulwood, and Blackburn, together with an aerial ladder platform, stinger appliance, drone team, and command unit, as well as the water bowser, battled the blaze, which is believed to have started in the unit occupied by CoolKit.

Smoke billowed into the air (Image: Becky Rose Duffy)

Staff were evacuated and nearby residents were told to close their windows and doors, and thankfully no injuries were reported.

Road closures were also put in place while emergency services, the ambulance service, and other agencies, including Cadent gas and Electricity North West attended to help deal with the incident. 

At one point, smoke could be seen from as far away as Accrington. 

A spokesperson for the police said: "Police are on scene assisting Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service with a fire on Farrington Place, Burnley.

"This has resulted in multiple road closures at the location.

"Please avoid the area if possible and plan your route accordingly.

"We also advise residents in the area to keep doors and windows closed."

Smoke from the fire billowed into the sky (Image: Submitted)

At around 7pm, Group Manager Liam Wilson, the incident commander, issued an update saying crews had worked very hard to control and surround the fire.

He said: "We have worked with a number of partners, including the police, North West Ambulance Service, Cadent gas and Electricity North West, to make the scene safe and operations are progressing well.

"At present time we are looking to scale operations down to six pumps and these operations will continue at the scene for a number of hours."

It is thought that fire crews will remain at the scene overnight in order to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and check on any hotspots.

The smoke could be seen for miles (Image: Sabrina Jolly)

The fire service drone was also in attendance taking aerial shots so crews could get a better idea of the scale of the incident.

One person who submited a video to us said they believed the unit has been completely destroyed by the fire. 

While another person who works on the industrial estate said: "We all had to be evacuated - it’s all blowing up inside."

CoolKit has been approached for comment.