FIREFIGHTERS are investigating the cause of a blaze which gutted a popular Padiham nightspot early today.

The Guy Fold Cabaret Club was totally destroyed after flames swept through the single storey Guy Street premises shortly before 2.30am - just a day after the sports and social club had enjoyed a successful run of Christmas party events.

Flames licked the roof of the building as firefighters from Padiham, Burnley, Accrington and Nelson fought the blaze.

Gas from a pipe fractured by the blaze fuelled the fire and engineers from Transco were called in to seal off the supply.

Fire crews were able to prevent the blaze spreading to an adjoining carpet warehouse.

Burnley Assistant Divisional Officer Peter Ashworth, returned to the smouldering scene at 9am today to track down the cause of the fire. He said there was no early indication of cause.

"It was a very fierce fire which has made the building unsafe. The local authority has been called in to secure the premises today," he added.

The club owners are believed to be local men Brian Gamble and Lawrence Neil. Neighbours said the club, which held about 300 guests and was a popular centre for wedding receptions and other party events, had been booked up for this week's millennium celebrations.

The building was used for many years as Padiham Labour Club, but closed because of low membership and financial difficulties about five years ago, when it became a private social club.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.