A FIRE blew a cloud of potentially lethal smoke across a town last night when a derelict office block burst into flames.

Residents were told to keep doors and windows closed because of the threat of potentially deadly asbestos spreading from Billingham House, known as the former ICI offices, in Billingham, Teesside.

Firefighters in 14 appliances were called to the scene at 5.20pm.

Clouds of smoke could be seen for miles around, with rush-hour traffic inundating radio stations with reports of the blaze.

Six floors of the ten-storey building were alight on Belasis Avenue.

Paul Joyce, director of Cleveland Fire Brigade, said firefighters would be at the scene throughout the night.

He said: "This is a considerably dangerous task for the firefighters, with it being such an unusually large building.

"A blaze like this doesn't just require firefighting skills - there is also a need for us to meticulously investigate every floor for unknown persons."

Mr Joyce said the brigade had dealt with a number of blazes at the empty tower block in recent months.

Tackling the blaze last night were two hydraulic platforms, two emergency tenders and ten fire engines with a total of 58 crew.

Barry Thwaites, who lives in nearby Wharfdale Avenue, said: "I went upstairs to the bedroom, where I could see right over the offices, and there were big flames coming out from the top of the building.

"The blaze seemed to be coming from the middle of the site and I could tell it was a big fire."

Inspector Ian Grunwell, of Cleveland Police, said: "A number of roads were closed for public safety and radio broadcasts were issued for residents to close all doors and windows and to keep away from the area."