FIREFIGHTERS were called to a flat fire in Blackrod last night.

The fire started in a row of flats above shops in Blackhorse Street.

It is believed that the shops, which includes J McRobb High Class Family Butcher, had experienced an electrical fault earlier in the day.

It is not yet known if this caused the fire.

Fire engines from Horwich attended the scene at around 11pm last night.

Anthony Paul Heeley on Facebook said: "There has been a fire in a flat above what looks like Blackrod Chippy tonight.

"There was nobody home at the time so luckily no one was injured.

"The whole row of shops suffered from an electrical fault earlier today and it appears highly likely that two instances are connected."

Meanwhile the owner of J McRobb High Class Family Butcher said: "We can confirm that we are not on fire!

"However flats above and power supply have been damaged in a fire. "Unfortunately we will be closed until further notice (Hopefully reopening Wednesday/Thursday, we will keep you updated).

"However our Chorley shop on Eaves Lane is open as normal."

More to follow.