Smoke warning for Preston residents as fire crews tackle waste blaze

Six fire engines from Preston, Fulwood, Penwortham, Bamber Bridge, Skelmersdale and Chorley along with the aerial ladder platform from Hyndburn were called out to the waste fire at a recycling plant on Longridge Road, Preston at 8.10am on Sunday.

Firefighters are currently wearing breathing apparatus and are using two hose reel jets and a ground monitor to extinguish the fire.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: “If you can see or smell smoke, please close keep your windows and door closed.”

The stinger appliance, high volume pump and drone unit joined the operation later the morning, with Lancashire Fireand Rescue appealing for people not to fly drones nearby as that will obstruct emergency operations.

By 7pm on Sunday, Lancashire Fire and Rescue’s presence at the scene has been reduced to two fire engines along with the specialist appliances including the stinger, aerial ladder platform and the high volume pump.

But firefighting operations were still under way, with the spokesman saying crews expected to remain in attendance for several hours.

The advice to residents to continue keeping windows and doors closed if they can see or smell smoke was reiterated with the LFR spokesman adding: .”We would like to thank you all for your patience.”

Police advised drivers that the fire-fighting operation was leading to heavy congestion on Longridge Road at the junction with Bluebell Way.