POLICE cordoned off a road in Burnley for half an hour yesterday after an explosion.

The blast happened at around 2pm in the cellar of the award-winning Bellfields Fish and Chip Shop, in Parliament Street. An electrical intake box exploded and caused smoke-damage to the shop.

The chippy was closed at the time as the owners prepared for the tea-time rush. The shop will remain closed until stock can be replaced.

Neil Ashworth, station officer, said: "It caused blast damage and fire damage. We used a positive pressure ventilation unit to ventilate and air the premises. Police cordoned off the road while two engines attended the incident. Nobody was hurt."