POLICE and firefighters battled into the early hours of this morning to bring a major fire under control.

Bar Continental and the House of Lords in Abbey Road, Barrow, became engulfed in flames shortly before 9pm last night as at least 12 fire engines were dispatched from across the county to deal with the blaze.

Abbey Road and surrounding streets were cordoned off to motorists as hose reel and main water jets were used to tackle the fire which was at risk of collapse.

Residents in nearby Hawke Street had to be evacuated from their homes by police as a precaution with The Forum used as a refuge centre for those who couldn't return to their homes.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was in the living room when I suddenly smelt smoke.

"It smelt like burning rubber and I thought my game console had exploded at first.

"I went out the back and saw flashing blue lights and realised that something had happened - then i heard 'bang, bang, bang' on my door and the police told us that we needed to get out."

Officers also issued a warning to residents in Barrow Town Centre to keep their windows shut to avoid inhaling smoke from the fire.

It is not yet known whether the pub was open at the time of the blaze or how the fire started but fire investigators will be working to establish what caused the fire.

Police do however believe that no-one was injured in the blaze.

Kenny McGuckin, 44, who lives in Collingwood Street with his partner Claire Forsyth and their two-year-old daughter, was also shocked to see the flames near his house.

He said: "I saw a post on Facebook and my partner heard the sirens so we rushed out the front to see what had happened.

"I don't think there would have been many people in the pub if it was open but you just don't know.

"I feel sorry for the firefighters - they will have to be there all night trying to put that out."

Visit www.nwemail.co.uk for more breaking news on last night's fire.