A BUILDING at a crematorium has been evacuated.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to Birches Remembrance Park and Crematorium this afternoon following reports of a fire.

Three engines, one each from the Northwich, Lymm and Middlewich stations, arrived at the scene on Birches Lane at around 4.30pm.

A CFRS spokesperson said: "A fire inside a commercial building was attended by firefighters who used a hose reel to extinguish it.

"A full evacuation of the premises took place and crews used a thermal imaging camera to check the area."

General manager of Birches Remembrance Park and Crematorium Angela Dunn, has confirmed the call to CFRS came following a 'minor' malfunction.

She said: "There has been a minor equipment malfunction that released smoke within the building.

"The fire service were called as a precaution and will shortly be leaving site."