Longridge high schools shut due to Butlers Cheese fire

The scene down Shay Lane during Monday evening as the fire took hold Pic: Jamie Baptiste

A high school in Longridge has been forced to close due to a fire at a nearby industrial estate.

Longridge High School in Preston Road said it was staying shut on Tuesday (7 November) due to the fire which raged at the Shay Lane industrial estate on Monday evening. St Cecilia’s high school is also closed.

There is tea and toast being offered at Longridge High School for anyone affected by the fire.

The office and packing site of Butlers Cheese caught fire around 9.30pm on Monday and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service sent ten fire crews from across Preston, Ribble Valley and Blackburn to tackle the fire.

Two aerial ladder platforms have been used to try and bring the flames under control.

The fire sent plumes of smoke into the air across Longridge and triggered a warning from the fire service to keep doors and windows closed due to the smoke.

The sky glowed orange throughout the night in Longridge Pic: Abbie Fletcher

A statement from Longridge High School said: “Due to an ongoing fir opposite school Longridge High School will have to close today. Please follow our social media channels for updates throughout the day.”

St Cecilia’s Roman Catholic High School in Chapel Hill has also been forced to close due to the fire.

Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses said: “We can confirm that Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are currently at the scene of a fire at our office and packing site on Shay Lane in Longridge. We will update further as we know more.”

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service posted a video update at 2.40am with Group manager Emma Price updating on the efforts to bring the fire under control.

Here's Group Manager Emma Price with an update from this ongoing incident.

Thank you for your patience while firefighting continues. pic.twitter.com/DqU77hpYgf
— Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service (@LancashireFRS) November 7, 2023

Firefighters are expected to remain on the scene throughout Tuesday.

Shay Lane is open to traffic and other businesses within the industrial estate are reported to be operating as usual but there is expected to be some disruption as hoses are continuing to be used along Preston Road and surrounding roads to pump water into the Shay Lane industrial estate.