POLICE are investigating a suspicious fire which destroyed a Chorley discount store in the early hours of yesterday.

Firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, which quickly spread throughout Sandy's Discount Store in Ackhurst Road, Common Bank Industrial Estate, at 11.50pm on Wednesday.

Seven appliances and an aerial pump attended the incident and firefighters worked throughout the night as flames ravaged the store.Night-workers in nearby buildings were evacuated and the fire was eventually brought under control in the early hours of the morning.

Chorley Police CID have launched an investigation after Police sniffer dogs trained to discover flammable liquid to investigate found evidence on the scene.

Des Rigg, Station Officer from Leyland fire station is conducting the fire service's investigation.

He said: "On arrival we realised it was very well developed fire and asked for an increase of four to six fire engines.

"The flames were coming through the roof and creating a white plume above the factory."

"We are still not able to enter the building as there is a risk officers could be injured.

"There will be an inspection form Chorley Council's building inspector later in the day."

The owner of the factory, Robert Hudaly, from Liverpool, was overcome with emotion as he surveyed the damage to the building.

He has owned the building for 10 years.

The factory has been running as Sandy's Discount Warehouse in Chorley for 30 years.

Firefighters continued damping down procedures at the wrecked building yesterday.

Anyone who has any information about the incident should contact Chorley police on 01257 269021.