Firefighters are tackling a fire at a former Hindu temple in Preston city centre.

Avenham Place is closed off as crews contain the fire at the disused building.

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Two fire engines have been deployed and are pumping water from a nearby manhole cover.

Update: Firefighters believe Avenham fire is arson

The fire is understood to have started shortly before 8am on Saturday (6 May).

Smoke can be seen coming from the upstairs of the building at the end of Avenham Place.

Plans to turn the building into flats were refused in late 2013 and the house has stood empty for nearly a decade. Before its use as a Hindu temple the building was a Jewish synagogue for many years.

The extent of damage cause or the cause of the fire is not yet known.