07 April 2023 , 03:23
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A major fire has broken out at a luxury car dealership in Preston this morning.
Nine fire engines and a number of support appliances including drones rushed to the scene on Bluebell Way in Preston.
Shocking photos show the Inchcape Jaguar and Land Rover dealership engulfed in flames as a huge pillar of smoke rises into the sky.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service warns firefighters are likely to remain at the scene for some hours battling the flames, LancsLive reports.
Residents of the surrounding area are urged to avoid the area and keep their windows closed until further notice.
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Locals are being urged to avoid the area (Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service)The ten fire engines from stations in Fulwood, Preston, Penwortham, Bamber Bridge, Longridge, Darwen, Blackburn, Hyndburn and Chorley were joined by two aerial platforms from Preston and Hyndburn as firefighters fought to get the blaze under control.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are likely to remain at the scene for some hours. Please avoid the area if possible."
In an update around 6.15am, the service said it had scaled the incident back to four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform.
Area Manager John Rossen said: "Through the night, we've had a significant fire involving an industrial unit in Preston.
"We've had a large number of resources here through the night. We've had, at its height, nine fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms and a large number of specialist resources.
"My thanks go to all the firefighters who arrived quickly and worked really hard in very arduous conditions, and actually they've managed to suppress the fire, stop it from spreading and we're in a much better place after a few hours of this fire going.
"We're actually starting to release some fire engines."
He added: "My advice to members of the public is we will be here for a number of hours to come, please, if you notice any smoke, keep your doors and windows shut and also please try to stay away from the local area."
The fire service was alerted to the blaze at shortly after 1am this morning.
The blaze started shortly after 1am this morning (Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service)It said that the fire was producing a large volume of smoke and warned nearby residents to keep all windows and doors closed if they were being affected by smoke.
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Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: "At 01:03 on 07 April, ten fire engines from Fulwood, Preston, Penwortham, Bamber Bridge, Longridge, Darwen, Blackburn, Hyndburn, and Chorley, together with two aerial ladder platforms from Preston and Hyndburn, attended a commercial building fire on Bluebell Way, Preston.
"The incident involved a commercial property approximately 100x100m in size.
Heat imaging camera shows areas affected (Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service)"Firefighters are likely to remain at the scene for some hours. Please avoid the area if possible.
"If you are affected by smoke, please keep all windows and doors closed."
Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Steve Healey earlier said in a statement: "In attendance at a serious fire at Jaguar Landrover in Preston. Please avoid the area.
"Our crews have done an incredible job in preventing serious fire spread."