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Firefighters are expected to be at a blaze at a three-storey apartment block for hours to ensure it is under control.<\/p>\n
They were called to the fire opposite the Red Dragon Pub on Main Street in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, at 5:45 GMT.<\/p>\n
David Love, area manager for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said emergency services would be in the area most of the day and a cordon was in place.<\/p>\n
Nearby residents have been evacuated from their homes and reception centres set up at the Methodist Church in Queen Square and the Lunesdale Hall and Kirkby Lonsdale Institute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mr Love said: “In the next few hours we should have the fire surrounded and we’ll have an emergency service presence in Kirkby Lonsdale for the best part of today.”<\/p>\n
He asked people to avoid the area, as crews using 10 fire engines and two aerial platforms continue to work to control the flames.<\/p>\n
The road was “likely to remain closed for some time”, Cumbria Police said.<\/p>\n
The town’s Christmas markets have been cancelled due to the fire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n