Huge fire breaks out at former Co-op bank building

Eight fire engines and police attended the fire at the former Co-operative bank building on High Street in Skelmersdale at around 7.30pm on Tuesday (September 15).

Lancashire Police closed a number of roads in the area and people were asked to avoid the scene and keep windows and doors shut.

Pictures from the scene show the building well alight and thick smoke rising into the sky as firefighters battled to bring the fire under control.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire Service said: "We have eight fire engines from Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside at a derelict building fire on High Street, Skelmersdale. We were called around 19:30 and crews are battling to bring the fire under control.

"Lancashire Police have closed a number of roads in the area and the public are advised to stay away from the scene. If you can see or smell the smoke, please keep your windows and doors shut.

The fire service confirmed at 12.20am today (September 16), the blaze was brought under control.

Firefighters have remained at the scene all night and the cause of the fire is currently unknown. A joint police and fire investigation is underway.

The site had been earmarked for a new Aldi after the discount retailer submitted an application in 2019.

That application is still pending and no decision has been made by West Lancashire Borough Council.