FIREFIGHTERS are expected to remain at the scene of a major fire in Appleby town centre throughout the evening.

Boroughgate is closed while crews continue to douse the three-storey building with water. Motorists and pedestrians have been asked by police to avoid the area.

The fire broke out in the second floor flat inside a three-storey building shortly after 4pm.

The blaze spread and broke through the roof space and flames could be seen coming out of the top of the building. 

It caused slates and tiles from the roof to fall on the street below, prompting emergency services to cordon off the scene and close the road.

No one was reported to be in the building and it is understood one person was able to walk out safely before the fire spread. Emergency services say everyone has been accounted for.

Firefighters from Penrith, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen were scrambled to the scene as was the aerial ladder from Carlisle to help tackle the blaze.

Watch manager Stuart Adams said: "The fire has started in one of the flats and it has spread through the roof and broken out through the roof. 

"When we first got here we had around 10 firefighters with breathing apparatus and we've got the aerial turntable ladder from Carlisle too."
Most of the fire had been tackled by around 6.30pm with Mr Adams preparing to stand down some of the firefighters.

"We've still got some hotspots and embers going, I can still see smoke coming out, but the majority of the fire has been tackled," he said.

"When the fire broke out through the roof it was sending slate and tiles to the ground. We had to move some to tackle it. That's why the road had to be closed, it was proving to be a danger."

Mr Adams said an investigation into the cause of the blaze was yet to start as crews continue to work at the scene.