EXPERTS are investigating a blaze which badly damaged a nightclub this morning.

A fire brigade spokesman said the incident was being treated as suspicious

Firemen took an hour to control the outbreak at Afrika's Nightclub in Blackburn Road, Accrington.

The firefighters were called in at 3.50am and found the rear of the club well alight.

Station officer Shaun Naughton said eight of his men donned breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze which they managed to contain.

But the rest of the club was badly damaged by smoke, he added.

Mr Naughton said the fire was being treated as suspicious and the brigade incident unit and police were investigating.

The club was empty when the fire broke out.

Afrika's has been closed for business for the last six months.

The club has had a number of different names, including Dolly Grey's and a chequered past, with a number of violent incidents taking place there as well as charity and fund-raising events.

There was no sign of the owners at the club early today. Fire investigators were waiting for a key holder to arrive.