Arson investigation after fire next to Preston City Centre shop

An investigation has been launched after wooden pallets were deliberately set alight outside a shop in Preston City Centre, say fire services.
Crews were called out to the fire outside B&MCrews were called out to the fire outside B&M
Crews were called out to the fire outside B&M

Two fire crews from Preston were called out to the back of B&M stores on Tithebarn Street at around 7.45pm on September 18.

Firefighters arrived to find a well established fire with smoke pouring into the building.

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A spokesman for the fire service said: "When we got there there was quite a lot of smoke and flames and the fire was right against the B&M store wall.

"There was a very real risk that the fire could have spread to the building and there could have been a lot of shops involved.

"Thankfully a passerby notified the fire service in time.

"We used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and two large fans to clear the buildings of smoke.

"Arson is a very serious crime and it takes up unnecessary time and resources for firefighters who may be needed at other incidents.

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"We're asking anyone with information to please contact police."

Old Vicarage was closed while crews spent around one -and-a -half hours dealing with the fire.

Nobody was injured during the incident.