Footage on social media shows the building appearing to have been gutted by the flames which broke out shortly before 5.22am. The building is the oldest church in Blackburn. The blaze broke out in the early hours of today near a shopping complex in the heart of the Lancashire town. The church, finished in 1789, closed its doors to active worship on Easter Sunday 1975. Many residents have taken to social media to post shocking video and images of the huge blaze.

Source: Daily Mirror April 03, 2019 05:41 UTC