FIREFIGHTERS are at the scene of a major fire near Harrogate that has extensively damaged a furniture and joinery store.

A passer-by alerted the emergency services at 2am that the building on Watson Lane, Norwood, was ablaze.

At the height of the fire, the crews of five fire enginers, an aerial ladder and a water bowser from Harrogate and elsewhere fought the flames. It took three hours to bring the blaze under control. 

Crews then started breaking into the building through the roof so they could continue the fight.

Other firefighters were carrying out operations to prevent the fire restarting.

The cause has yet to be established.