A detailed study on the spray local flow and flame structure has been performed by means of PIV and laser-sheet LIF techniques under Diesel spray conditions. Operating conditions were based on Engine Combustion Network recommendations. A consistent comparison of inert and reacting axial velocity fields has produced quantitative information on the effect of heat release on the local flow. Local axial velocity has been shown to increase 50-60% compared to the inert case, while the combustion-induced radial expansion of the spray has been quantified in terms of a 0.9-2.1 mm radius increase. As a result, the drop in entrainment rate has been quantified around 25% compared to the inert case. Streamline analysis also hints at a reduced entrainment under reacting conditions. A 1D spray model under reacting condition has been used, which confirms the modifications obtained in the main flow metrics when moving from inert to reacting conditions. When comparing the flow evolution with the flame structure, little effect of chemical activity on the spray flow upstream the lift-off length has been evidenced, in spite of the presence of formaldehyde in such regions. Only downstream of the lift-off length, as defined by OH LIF, has a strong change in flow pattern been observed as a result of combustion-induced heat release. (C) 2017 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.