Cause of the huge Frank Street fire remains unknown

Flames leap from the Preston Motor Village site Pic: Ben Horn

What caused a fire which ripped through a car breakers yard in Preston and sent flames into the night’s sky is no closer to being known.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed to Blog Preston an investigation into the fire at Preston Motor Village in Frank Street says the cause of the fire is still a mystery.

Around 90 firefighters were called to the premises in Deepdale during Friday 21 December 2018.

It took around six hours for firefighters to gain control of the situation, using aerial ladders to tackle the flames.

The charred remains of the car breakers yard, which caused homes in Kent Street and St George’s Road to be evacuated, are still there.

At the time of the fire they said arson could not be ruled out and Preston Police were asked to investigate.

No arrests were ever made.

A spokeswoman for the fire service told Blog Preston: “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service carried out a joint fire investigation with Insurance appointed fire investigators.

“Lancashire Police also made some enquiries on our behalf.

“Unfortunately we have concluded that the cause of this fire has been recorded as ‘unknown’ at this time due to the lack of significant evidence recovered from the scene.”