A car has crashed into the side of a house, causing firefighters to fear for the safety of the building.

Emergency services were called to the property in May Avenue at around 3.20pm on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "One appliance from Burnley fire station was sent to the incident following reports that a car had crashed into the corner of a house in May Avenue.

Lancashire Telegraph:

"It appears that the house is unstable and we have requested that our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team attend to shore the building and make it safe."

The electricity supply has been isolated through the external cut off point and crews remain in attendance.

Owner of the house, Sure Whitaker, who was out shopping with the rest of her family at the time, said: "We got here quite late and don't quite know what has happened.

"The fire service told us we were not allowed back in the house and we're talking to the insurance company at the moment.

"We are in the process of selling the house too after living here for five years.

"We're just a bit in shock at the moment, we don't know what to think; I'm still trying to process it all."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Station Manager Dave Robinson said: "As far as we are aware the owner of the vehicle is ok and is now back at home.

"We've isolated the utilities including those of the property next door and we're working in conjunction with the council's building inspectors to asses the stability of the building.

"We managed to remove two dogs from the upstairs of the property, and luckily they were not hurt.

"There was no-one else in the property at the time but we are now liasing with the owners of the house and in turn they are liasing with their insurance company and we're waiting for further details in terms of securing the scene.

"The building is unstable at the moment but the building inspectors are concerned enough not to let anyone back in the property."

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Station Manager Robinson said there would be a fire service presence remaining at the scene and a section of the road would remain closed off for everyone's safety.

He said: "We will remain here until we can get confirmation that specialist arrangements have been made and builders are in the process of putting fencing up around the scene."

The cause of the crash is now under investigation.