FAMILIES were evacuated from their homes and one house was destroyed following a factory fire.

The blaze took hold of the factory in Heys Lane, Darwen, in the late hours of Sunday night.

Eyewitnesses say a number of crews and engines were at the scene of the fire, which is believed to have started at around 8.30pm.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue has confirmed that one home was effectively destroyed in the fire, but added that quick action by crews prevented the fire from spreading.

Families living close to the factory have been evacuated from their homes as a matter of precaution as emergency services assess the damage to their properties. 

One evacuated resident said: "We were evacuated last night and had to stay with family.

"This morning we are still not allowed back inside as there is water and smoke damage and the stability of our house is being questioned. 

"We don’t know when we will be allowed back in.

"Another house on the street has been severely damaged, it looks as though their roof has completely gone."

Two roads around Heys Lane and Bright Street were closed off by the police as crews tackled the fire.

A Lancashire fire service spokesman said: "The fire took hold in a commercial unit which has been unoccupied for some months.

"Four pumps from Blackburn, Darwen and Accrington attended the fire initially and an aerial ladder platform from Blackpool was also used.

"A stinger unit from Blackburn was used to stop the fire from spreading.

"The commercial unit and one home on the street have both been destroyed.

"One crew remains on the scene and an investigation in to the cause of the fire will be launched."