POLICE and fire crews are working to establish the cause of a fire in central Kendal.

A blaze ripped through the Westmorland and Lonsdale Conservatives on Highgate at 4.15am this morning (Friday) and took fire crews two hours to bring under control.

The building suffered extensive damage and one man in a nearby flat required treatment for smoke inhalation, which he received from ambulance staff at the scene. He is now staying with family.

The cause of the fire is unknown as the building has been deemed unsafe, meaning police and fire personnel are not able to enter the premises to make a full investigation at this time.

Roads around the building - Milnthorpe Road from Romney Bridge into Kirkland and onto Highgate - will remain closed until the area is safe.

Police are working with County Council Highways to keep traffic moving and ensure that roads are opened as soon as possible.

Business owners are urged to contact delivery drivers in advance to make arrangements if their access is affected.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area in the early hours of the morning and may have information to contact Kendal CID on 0845 33 00 247.