FIRE investigators were investigating at a home furnishings shop in Nelson today after a blaze severely damaged the building.

Firefighters spent more than four hours tackling the blaze at Home Desire, Leeds Road, after receiving reports of smoke coming from the building.

When they arrived at the scene, just after midnight, fire was coming from the mezzanine floor of store and it was believed a person could be trapped in the blaze.

Five pumps, from Nelson, Colne and Burnley, the aerial ladder platform and the Environmental Protection Unit from Burnley rushed to the scene.

Six crews extinguished the flames which caused severe fire damage to the first floor and damaged the roof.

Burnley Station Commander Dave Jackson said the premises were secure so crews had to break in.

He added: "We were told someone was in the building so we searched whilst fighting the fire.

"There was a high level of stock which we managed to salvage.

"The investigation will concentrate on excavating the seat of the fire to determine its cause.

"There was severe damage to the first floor balcony and the roof and severe heat and smoke damage to the rest of the premises."