FIREFIGHTERS were called in after flooding developed in an industrial unit in Burnley caused by a collapsed roof.

Fire crews were called to the unit at Imperial Mill, Liverpool Road, at about noon yesterday after reports that a fork lift truck driver had collided with a pillar and caused part of the roof to fall in.

The driver escaped injury, although the accident caused the power supply and the sprinkler system at the unit to fail.

Two fire engines and two specialist units were called to the scene and about 17 firefighters dealt with the flooding caused by the sprinklers.

Fire chiefs said Burnley Borough Council's building inspector was called in to look at the safety of the building and the Health and Safety Executive were also informed.

Assistant Divisional Officer Kevin Murray, said: "A fork lift truck appears to have struck a column and the roof has collapsed.

"The main problem we had was the sprinkler system and we cordoned off the area and dealt with the flooding."