A LARGE fire that devastated a former snooker hall yesterday is still being treated as 'unexplained' by the emergency services.

Dozens of firefighters as well as police officers and paramedics were called to the former John's Snooker and Pool Bar in Clayton Street, Blackburn, as fire ripped through the building.

A police spokesman said: "The cause is still being treated as unexplained."

Up to 20 people were evacuated nearby as the roof of the two-storey building collapsed at around noon on Sunday.

A fire service spokesman said one fire engine remained at the scene overnight to make sure the fire was out - with 12 engines at the scene at its peak.

The spokesman said: "The fire is under investigation and multi-agency meetings are due to take place this morning with regards to the investigation and the future of the site.

"Police are continuing inquiries to establish whether anyone was inside the building when the fire started."