Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday, 1st November 2024, at 10:00hrs
Robotic firefighter was used to extinguish the fire on Thursday night
An investigation is underway to establish the exact cause of a fire that engulfed a commercial building in Preston on Thursday night.
Emergency services were called to the fire shortly before 6:30pm in Chain Caul Way.
The building that contained acetylene cylinders made it unsafe for firefighters to enter and tackle the blaze. Therefore, a robotic firefighter was used and a drone to direct it in and extinguish the fire.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service on Thursday night said:
“We are currently in attendance at a commercial unit on Chain Caul Way, Preston.
Firefighters were called at 18:28 and found the property full of smoke. The building contains cylinders and as a result a cordon has been put in place and Chain Caul Way is currently closed in both directions.
Firefighters are using hose reels to exitinguish the fire.
Six fire engines, a drone, a firefighting robot and aerial ladder platform are in attendance.
Update at 21:00 – The number of fire engines at the scene has been reduced to three. This is because the fire has been brought under control but firefighters will continue to monitor the temperature of the cylinders throughout the evening.”
Lancs Fire CFO Justin Johnstone said on X:
Embracing technology. Keeping firefighters safe from acetylene cylinders in an industrial fire with a firefighting robot while live streaming from our drone team to the on-site team and further afield. This is a live incident in Preston.
LFRS have since provided an update this morning saying:
“This morning, firefighters have left the scene at the incident but fire investigators are continuing to work at the scene to establish the cause of the fire. Chain Caul Way has now reopened.”
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