Police put no-fly zone in place as Church Street fire work continues

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service teams on site during Friday morning in Shepherd Street Pic: Geoff Wilde

A no-fly zone has been put in place as emergency services continue to work at the scene of a major fire in the Church Street area.

The fire took place on Tuesday evening and saw an abandoned building behind the row of buildings known as ‘St Johns Row’ severely damaged by the flames.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Preston Police, Lancashire County Council and Preston City Council returned to the scene during Thursday 14 November after receiving information people may have been sleeping rough at the site which borders a car park in Shepherd Street.

Further work has been taking place throughout Friday (15 November) on site to demolish parts of the building and make the site safe. Emergency services are expected to remain on the scene for some time yet. Road closures are also in place between the Manchester Road junction of Church Street and Church Row.

Earlier on Friday, we reported how police have also said their appeal to trace missing man Marcin Kozierowski is connected to their investigation of the fire site.

Police have also put a no-fly zone in place covering the Church Street area and wider city centre.

The restriction – which stops any uncrewed aircraft such as drones being flown below 1,000ft – is to ‘ensure the safety of those working on the emergency response’ to the fire site. The drone safety map site shows the full restriction which remains in force until further notice.

The area covered by the no-fly zone Pic: Preston Police

Suptintendent Gary Crowe, of Lancashire Police, said: “This remains very much a multi-agency operation to manage the response to a fire in Church Street, Preston.

“We have received information around the possibility of people sleeping rough within the building and this is forming part of our enquiries, including a search to find a missing man.

“Some demolition work has started and is expected to continue into the weekend, with road closures and diversions in place.

“We continue to monitor the situation and will update you in due course.”

Scene in Shepherd Street Pic: Geoff Wilde

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 1197 of November 12.

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