A FIRE has ripped through an old furniture store in Worcester city centre causing the roof to collapse.

Around 60 firefighters had to contend with falling brickwork and masonary as they tackled the fire in the old County Furnishings building in Silver Street, just off Lowesmoor, at around 7am this morning.

A total 12 fire engines from across Worcestershire were called to the scene while police closed off Lowesmoor for around three hours and redirected traffic along City Walls Road causing chaos for commuters and shoppers.

Firefighters used a hydraulic platform and a turntable ladder to tackle the fire, which started in an empty part of the building that used to hold carpet remnants.

Mark Preece is the group manager for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and incident commander. He said: "On arrival crews faced a severely developing fire that rapidly broke through the roof.

"The roof has collapsed and the structure of the premises is unsafe but we stopped the fire from affecting any of the adjoining premises."

For more see the Worcester News on Boxing Day.