Part of Chorley town centre was sealed off by police on Saturday as firefighters tackled a huge blaze.
Flames ripped through Market Plaice chip shop and smoke damage spread to the nearby Brown's Butchers in Market Street, Chorley.
Up to 20 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze after the fire broke out just after 11am.
Police
cordoned off most of Market Place while a large crowd of shoppers formed to watch the drama unfold.
At least four pumps were called to tackle the fire.
Lorene Waring, of Althams travel agents, in New Market Street, told the Guardian: "All the upstairs windows at the fish and chip shop are out and they've brought a number of things outside.
"It was very dramatic. We came out with our coats on because we didn't know if we'd be evacuated.
"The big fear was that the fire would spread."
Malcolm Allen, of Malcolm's Musicland, in Chapel Street, said: "I saw the first fire engine just after 11am and I think the last one didn't leave until about 3.15pm.
"It could have been a lot worse and there was quite a crowd gathering."
It's believed several shops either side of the chip shop and several market stalls were affected by the drama although nobody was injured.
The cause of the fire is being investigated although it's thought to have started in the floor above the chip shop.
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