FIREFIGHTERS tackling a blaze in a former hairdressers in Padiham had to be ordered out of the building last night when one of the crew nearly fell through the floor.

The empty building in Green Lane - which is believed to have been the target of an arson attack - was well-alight when fire crews arrived at the scene at 11pm.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were sent into the building to tackle the blaze, but had to be withdrawn when it was found to be unsafe.

Sub officer Eddie Steele said: "We had to get the crew out because of the state of the building.

"It was unsafe and one of the firemen nearly fell through the floor.

"The fire went right through the building from the ground floor to the roof."

They then had to use the aerial ladder platform to tackle blaze.

Fire crews, who were at the scene for more than two hours, managed to stop the fire spreading to the neighbouring building.

Sub officer Steele said he would be contacting Burnley Council's building control department today about the shop.

Two men, aged 28 and 22, and a youth, aged 15, have been arrested on suspicion of arson.

They were kept in custody at Burnley police station last night and were due to be questioned by Burnley CID today.