Firefighting efforts continue at Marton industrial park fire 24 hours after blaze began

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said engines are still at the scene of the fire in Cowley Road as efforts continue to damp down the smouldering building.

The business headquarters of Nationwide Catering Ltd has been destroyed by the fire which began shortly after 7am yesterday (Monday, March 2).

Rush hour traffic in Vicarage Lane remained affected both ways this morning, from Sandersons Way to Daggers Hall Lane, due to ongoing firefighting in the area.

At 8pm last night, fire chiefs said the incident had been scaled down to eight engines and two aerial ladder platforms - 13 hours after the blaze had first been reported.

It said the fire had been brought under control but firefighters would be working through the night to prevent it from spreading to further units.

At the fire's peak during yesterday morning, ten fire engines and specialist units battled the blaze with multiple jets, breathing apparatus and two aerial ladder platforms.

Shortly after 1pm, firefighters at the scene noticed that the fire was starting to spread to an adjoining building.

The number of fire engines at the scene was increased to tackle the second outbreak.

Due to thick smoke in the area, people were asked to keep windows and doors shut and a number of roads were closed by Lancashire Police.

Fire chiefs also advised St George's School in nearby Cherry Tree Road to send staff and pupils at home early due to concerns over air quality.

The school reopened this morning after LFRS carried out air quality tests to ensure that the area's air quality is safe to breathe.

No injuries have been reported and LFRS said a fire investigation has now begun.