Huge fire breaks out at HSBC building in town centre as black smoke billows into sky

A huge fire has broken out at a bank branch in a town centre, with smoke billowing into the sky and fire services rushing to the scene.

Photos and videos of the incident at HSBC Loughborough in Leicestershire emerged on social media this afternoon.

Roads were closed while the fire service rushed to the scene of the fire.

Jonathan Morgan, Leader at Charnwood Borough Council, urged people to stay away from Loughborough town centre.

He tweeted: "Huge fire at HSBC in centre of Loughborough - please avoid the town centre to allow fire crews access to tackle the blaze."

Leicestershire Police confirmed they are at the scene, but the fire service is leading the operation, Leicestershire Live reports.

Residents have been asked to avoid the area (dluxemag/Twitter)

A fire broke out at HSBC Loughborough this afternoon (dluxemag/Twitter)

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said appliances from Loughborough, Coalville, Ashby, Birstall, Eastern, Western, Uppingham and Southern stations - including a high-reach appliance - are in attendance.

Crews are currently fighting a fire on the first and second floor at the bank.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: "We have a number of crew under Breathing Apparatus fighting a fire on the 1st and 2nd floor at HSBC."

Firefighters rushed to the scene in Loughborough (leicestermercury)

HSBC said in a statement: "We are aware there is an incident at our Loughborough branch where the Fire Service is in attendance. It is too early to tell what, if any, damage has been caused to the branch, but we will provide an update on when the branch will be reopen when we can.

"In the meantime, customers can use the local Post Office for day-to-day transactions in addition to online, mobile or telephone banking.

"Our Live Chat service is available 24/7. For those who need to visit a branch, they will be able to find their local branch here."