A road has reopened after emergency services spent the day removing asbestos material following a fire.

Four fire engines were called to Branch Road, Lower Darwen in the early hours of this morning following reports of a fire at a business unit.

Pictures from the scene shared with the Lancashire Telegraph showed huge flames and smoke billowing into the sky.

Lancashire Police enforced a road closure on Branch Road, causing disruption to journeys this morning, as Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service continued to battle the blaze.

READ MORE: Updates after commercial unit fire in Lower Darwen

It is understood that it was Unit 15 at the Brookmill Complex, next to The Collar Club doggy day care, which was damaged during the fire.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesperson confirmed the road was open again earlier this afternoon.

They said: "Branch Road in Lower Darwen has now reopened following the fire service completing their work to clear asbestos material from the road and footways surrounding the site of the fire at the Brookmill Complex.

"Thanks to everyone for their patience during the road closure."

A fire service spokesperson said this morning: "Four fire engines from Blackburn and Darwen, along with the aerial ladder from Preston, attended an incident on Branch Road, Blackburn.

READ MORE: Branch Road in Lower Darwen closed after overnight fire

"The fire involved a single-storey commercial building.

"Firefighters used three jets, three breathing apparatus, and one triple extension ladder to extinguish the fire."

The fire service was asked for more information regarding a potential cause or details of any investigation, but could not provide any at this time.