The watching crowd on Manchester Road. A previously unpublished image.

A large crowd of town centre shoppers and office workers watched Burnley fire Brigade fight a fire at Ellis's paint and decorator's shop in Manchester Road yesterday afternoon, Thursday 24th June 1971. The fire broke out in mid-afternoon and within minutes flames were shooting out of the back of the premises which were severely damaged. The cause of the outbreak is not known. The ladies' outfitter's premises next door were also badly damaged by flooding and smoke. For about an hour traffic was diverted along minor streets in the area as firemen fought against the flames and smoke.

The manager at Ellis's, Mr John Bowen, told the Burnley Express: "The alarm was given by one of the girls from the office at the rear, but within minutes it had flared up. I have never seen anything go so fast in my life. I telephoned for the fire brigade who were quickly on the scene." Most of the damage was caused to the first floor showrooms and store-rooms. Mr Brown said: "There isn't any paint stored up there but there was plenty of inflammable material including polystyrene tiles. It was these that caused the smoke." A rest room for the staff was destroyed in the blaze and damage was caused throughout the three-storey building by water and smoke. But despite all the confusion some customers were served while firemen were still clearing up the debris.