Van used to deliver food parcels to pensioners during coronavirus crisis is torched in Fleetwood

Firefighters were called out shortly after midnight this morning (Thursday, March 26) to reports of a van on fire in St David's Church Hall car park in Larkholme Lane.

The van, which belongs to community support group Men's Shed, had been used to deliver food to elderly residents across Fleetwood this week.

Fire crews said the cause of the fire is believed to be arson.

A joint investigation will be carried out by Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service today (Thursday, March 26).

A police spokesman said: "We were called at just after midnight to reports of a van fire on Larkholme Lane, Fleetwood.

"The fire is believed to be suspicious and is under investigation."

Fire crews from Fleetwood tackled the fire for around 40 minutes before the burning vehicle had been safely extinguished.

A fire service spokesman said: "The fire involved a commercial vehicle on a car park and was extinguished by firefighters using breathing apparatus and a hose reel.

"Crews were in attendance for approximately 40 minutes.

"An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway alongside colleagues from Lancashire Police."

The van was not the only vehicle targeted by suspected arsonists in Fleetwood last night.

Firefighters were also called to reports of a fire in the open on Adelaide Street at 11.30pm.

On arrival they found the fire involved a motorbike in a car park.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire using a hose reel.

Earlier that evening, at around 11.09pm, fire crews were called to a vehicle fire on The Esplanade.

The fire is thought to have been started deliberately and crews extinguished it using breathing apparatus and hose reels.

The fire service said a joint investigation into all three incidents is underway alongside Lancashire Police.

If you have any information on the cause of the van fire, you can contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log number 0007 of March 26.