A massive fire at a factory in Melton Road, Leicester,closed the major route into the city this morning.
The blaze, which could be seen across the city skyline, closed the A607 between Troon Way and Checketts Road.
The fire, was reported at about 7.15am, and caused significant damage to the four-storey former furniture factory in Woodbridge Road.
Leicestershire Fire Service tackled the blaze using 10 pumps.
Police and ambulance crews were also at the scene. There were no reports of injuries.
Police advised people to avoid the area.
The building is close to a petrol station and nearby homes were evacuated.
Residents living in the Stafford Street, Lancashire Street, St Michaels Avenue and Sandringham Avenue have been evacuated.
Anyone intending to travel towards the area is being advised to avoid the area. Melton Road at the junctions with Troon Way, Windsor Avenue, Checketts Road and Gypsy Lane has been cordoned off.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Video by Vishal Chauhan
@BBCLeicester huge fire on Melton Road! Petrol station next door! Not good pic.twitter.com/ybw1JUrl3T
— BUBBS✨ (@tania_cheeks) August 7, 2014
Factory in front of us !!!#meltonroad#Leicesterpic.twitter.com/X3Cus7HTip
— Hiral Desai (@Hiral283) August 7, 2014
View from #leicestertigers traffic lights this morning. #Leicester#meltonroad#fire#smokepic.twitter.com/k1L6wFAmqd
— Bex (@kiltedtwizzles) August 7, 2014
Don't know what's on #fire down #meltonroad#leicester but hope no one gets hurt xx pic.twitter.com/jPnIw1bIZi
— Duggan® (@DugganRL) August 7, 2014
Wondering what this huge plume of smoke over #leicester is? http://t.co/InL3x80KBDpic.twitter.com/qtRTYu3uaJ
— Dan Martin (@Danjamesmartin) August 7, 2014
@BBCLeicester#fire#meltonroad flames visible on the skyline from #GeneralHospitalpic.twitter.com/FZxrISLf2Y
— Mark Templeman (@crawler1970) August 7, 2014
furniture warehouse fire over on Melton Road, Leicester, Melton Rd closed in both directions nr Rushey Mead School pic.twitter.com/JnVgQbXtLm
— David Atterbury (@dmu_dave) August 7, 2014
Massive fire on Melton road this morning, right next to a petrol station. I'm off to London, this looks dangerous. pic.twitter.com/Q89JbvGpnu
— Charles (@CharleeDrew) August 7, 2014
@BBCLeicester@bbcemt@Leicester_Mercpic.twitter.com/lKTeI2rSId
— Rohit Vadher (@RohitV05) August 7, 2014
@Leicester_Merc view from wanlip lane Birstall at 7.30am of this mornings factory fire. pic.twitter.com/pfCDQr35Ff
— Tracey_Walters (@sighthounds4me) August 7, 2014
@Leicester_Merc fire on Melton Road visable from our house in #AbbeyRise#local#news#iphone#photographypic.twitter.com/hYNXGj6WwQ
— Love photography 13 (@lovephoto13) August 7, 2014
@BBCLeicester@bbcemt@Leicester_Mercpic.twitter.com/lKTeI2rSId
— Rohit Vadher (@RohitV05) August 7, 2014
@Leicester_Merc factory fire on Woodbridge road pic.twitter.com/nBFbgGTGVc
— Sonal Patel (@Sonkee73) August 7, 2014
