Fire crews tackle blaze at former cinema and nightclub in Preston city centre

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have spent the night (Thursday 19 May) tackling a huge fire in Preston City Centre.

At its height, 12 fire engines were tackling the blaze at the old Odeon Cinema and Tokyo Jo's nightclub and plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from miles away.

Crews from Preston, Bamber Bridge, Fulwood, Wesham, Leyland, South Shore, Blackpool, Great Harwood, Hyndburn, Penwortham and Tarleton were at the scene and are expected to remain there for much of Friday.

• Pictures from Wayne Bamber

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service says the fire has now been brought under control, but firefighting operations will continue.

The service urged people in the city centre to avoid the area around Avenham Street and keep windows and doors closed.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have been using hose reels and ground monitors to bring the fire under control.

Lancashire Fire Service say they are working with Lancashire Police, Preston City Council and other partners in a multi-agency response to the incident.

The blaze follows a fire at St Joseph’s Orphanage and one at the former Odeon within hours of each other at the weekend.

Leader of Preston City Council, Councillor Matthew Brown, tweeted his concern.

He said: "The recent fires taking place in Preston City Centre are very disturbing suggesting a possible trend.

"It has been raised by senior members and officers with both fire and police services.

"We will continue supporting our emergency services to effectively deal with the matter."

Footage and photographs on social media have shown the scale of the fire, with huge smoke plumes visible for miles.

Tokyo Jo's nightclub tweeted to say they were in "complete shock".