Dozens of people were evacuated from a block of flats in Avenham yesterday after fire ripped through one of the properties.

Residents of Richmond House, Manchester Road, could only watch as smoke billowed out of a sixth floor flat after bedding and papers in a cupboard that housed electrics caught fire at about 6pm.

Fifteen firefighters from Preston and Bamber Bridge rushed into the flat because they believed someone was trapped but no one was found.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was really bad and we didn't know what was going on.

"The alarms went off and I didn't know what to think. We all thought someone was trapped and we were really worried but it looks like everyone's ok."

The hall to the flat was gutted by the fire with decorations hung on the wall being completely destroyed and smoke damaged the remainder of the property. It took minutes to put out the blaze.

Leo Loughrey, watch manager, said: "When we got the call we were told there could have been a person in the flat so it was important we got in there as soon as possible.

"The fire was in the electrical box where things like the fuse box are which was aggravated because of the bedding and it went up easily. It is too early to say whether it was an electrical fault but our officers will be investigating it further."

Officers from Preston police station were on hand to keep people informed and residents except those on the sixth floor were allowed back into their homes about 30 minutes later. No road closures were put in place.