Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday, 13th November 2024, at 07:00hrs
Firefighters spent the night on site of the fire which sent smoke billowing across Preston City Skyline
Emergency services descended on a Preston City Centre Street on Tuesday evening following a major blaze at a derelict building.
Church Street in the city was closed to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze that lit up the skies and sent smoke billowing across the skyline. A number of other streets to the rear of the building was also cordoned off with motorists diverted away.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said:
“We are currently in attendance at a building fire on Church Street, Preston.
If you can see or smell smoke, please close your windows and doors.
The drone is in attendance at this incident so please do not fly any drones in the area as you may obstruct emergency operations.
At 18:18 on 12 November 2024, four fire engines from Preston, Bamber Bridge and Blackpool, along with the aerial ladder platform attended the fire.
There are road closures in place – Church Street (between Lancaster Road and Manchester Road), Manchester Road (between Church Street and Shepherd Street) and Shepherd Street up to Rose Street.
Please avoid the area where possible.”
Firefighters are using two jets to tackle the fire and remain in attendance.”
The fire happened just after 6pm. At the height of the inferno, four fire engines from across Lancashire, including two aerial ladder platforms from the Fylde Coast, were in attendance.
A large crowd had gathered to watch the dramatic scenes unfold with one saying that “it’s not surprising that the city centre as yet again seen another fire with all the derelict buildings scattered around.” Another said “the street is a dump and needs redeveloping.”
This is the second fire in the space of a week, with the former St Joseph’s Orphange coming under attack by arsonists. Firefighters spent the night tackling the blaze on Bonfire Night. A joint criminal investigation is now underway, says Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service.
Firefighters have spent the night at the site of the derelict building that sits behind Church Street just a few doors down from the former Old Dog Inn Pub and next to Sandos’ takeaway.
Appliances have now been reduced with all roads reopened apart from Shepherds Street. This remains closed this morning.
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