A blaze which broke out in a pub and ripped through a block of flats has left 24 people homeless, a council has said.

Seven fire crews were scrambled to The George public house on Causeyside Street in Paisley, Renfrewshire, at 3.30am today.

They were faced with a well-developed fire which had reached "extreme temperatures" and was producing large volumes of smoke.

No-one was injured but the flats above are said to have been seriously damaged.

Residents have been evacuated and Renfrewshire Council said the majority have been found temporary accommodation, with two families making their own arrangements.

On its website, the local authority said: "A fire has seriously damaged flats above The George public house on the corner of Causeyside Street and George Street leaving 24 people homeless and leading to road closures in the area.

"No-one was injured in the fire, which started at 3.25am, extensively damaging the building and prompting a major response from Renfrewshire Council, Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.

"Building standards officers from the council and surveyors from the owner's insurance company will be assessing the damage and will decide if the building needs to be demolished."

Mark Macmillan, leader of the council, said: "We are all thankful that everyone is safe and well following this major blaze.

"This is an excellent example of all the emergency services working together to ensure a prompt response.

"The council has an important role in incidents like this from providing accommodation for people who have lost their homes to organising road closures and ensuring damaged buildings are made safe.

"Council employees have been working through the night, alongside their colleagues from the 'blue light' services, to ensure that everyone affected by the fire has somewhere to stay and that life in Paisley town centre can get back to normal as quickly as possible.

"Tomorrow, housing officers will offer support, advice and assistance to those who have lost their homes, helping with their medium to longer term housing needs.

"Building standards will keep working to ensure the area is safe for the public, our town centre team will liaise with local businesses affected by the blaze and our roads service will do all it can to minimise disruption to traffic."

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue area commander George McGrandles said the work of the firefighters prevented the fire from spreading and damaging the many adjoining properties.

A spokesman for the service said: "At the height of the fire seven fire appliances ranging from Paisley and Renfrew to Polmadie tackled the blaze.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fought the fire from within the range of complex properties and other firefighting crews attacked the blaze from the outside using large main water jets."