MORE than 70 firefighters spent almost 10 hours tackling a fire which “wrecked” a West Lancashire food business yesterday.

Thirteen fire engines and firefighters from Wigan, Merseyside and Manchester were called to the scene at Stateside Foods in Priorswood Place, Skelmersdale.

The blaze started in a single storey building and spread to a three storey building.

Kathy Stacey, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The premises, which are on an industrial estate in Pimbo and on the junction of Prescott Road, are wrecked.

“The fire started in a single storey building and has spread to other parts.

“Staff at the company do not work a night shift.

She said although few flames could be seen from outside the building the fire service’s thermal imaging cameras picked up the heat within.

She added: “There is a large plume of smoke rising above the building but due to the wind it is being carried away.”

As a precaution, Lancashire Fire Brigade advised people concerned about the smoke to stay inside.

The fire was “downgraded” at midday yesterday but six pumps remained on site damping down the flames.

There had been concern about the fire spreading to a room containing refrigerators but firefighters were able to bring the fire under control.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “At 4.45am the fire service was sent to Stateside Foods. It was a very large fire but there are no casualties and no-one has been evacuated.”

Stateside Foods supplies chilled pizzas and frozen pizza crusts in both branded and customer own label, to the leading retail and food service accounts, according to the firm’s website.