AN INVESTIGATION has begun into a huge fire which gutted a shoe store in Blackpool town centre on Tuesday night.

One eyewitness told The Citizen how he looked on fearfully as the Shoemarket's first floor windows shattered in the heat and flames erupted from the front and back of the building.

Neighbours say their businesses were luck yo escape the blaze, which engulfed the upper levels of the three storey building on Talbot Road.

The roof was wrecked and an estimated £300,000 worth of damage was caused to the building and its stock.

Graham Minnikin, manager of the neighbouring Flashmans pub, evacuated during the blaze, said: "The only thing that's holding the roof up is the ridge tiles. The flames were quite high up and the smell was awful.

"We were asked to evacuate the building at about 11ish and it was 3am when we got back in. We were very lucky."

Early reports that people were in the building proved to be unfounded.

The fire began shortly after 11pm on Tuesday. At its height around 60 firefighters battled the fierce blaze and there were concerns it could spread to neighbouring shops and pubs.

At one point firefighters had to pull out of the building as floors collapsed. Police evacuated premises along Talbot Road, including the adjacent Flashmans pub, The Station Hotel at the end of the block and Pepe's across the street, to protect staff and customers from the heat and acrid smoke.

Talbot Road was sealed off between Abingdon Street and Dickson Road as ten fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were drafted in.

The fire was out by around 3am yesterday (Wednesday), after causing extensive fire and smoke damage to the Shoemarket, and an estimated £100,000 worth of smoke damage to Scotties discount store next door.

As an investigation into the cause of the fire began, three fire crews were involved in damping down -- and a salvage operation -- a task expected to take most of the day.

Station Officer Colin Byers, based at Blackpool Forest Gate fire station, said the fire had been 'extensive and serious'.

"On first attendance we were faced with a severe fire showing at the back of the building. Crews went into the building working on all levels trying to control the fire," he said.

Fire officers said they were keeping an open mind on the cause of the blaze.