"I don't deserve any of this": Preston salon owner's plea for information after business becomes victim of second arson attack

Fire crews were called out to the iLashed Academy, on Blackpool Road, in the early hours of this morning, after it fell victim to its second arson attack in the past 12 months.
The man responsible for the arson attack at the Blackpool road businessThe man responsible for the arson attack at the Blackpool road business
The man responsible for the arson attack at the Blackpool road business

Salon owner Imogen Southwood is now appealing for anyone with any information to step forward and has offered a £1,000 cash reward for anyone with information that could lead to the offender's arrest.

Her salon, the iLashed Academy has been struck by two suspected arson attacks this year and she is now using social media to appeal for help.

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After the other suspected attack had only taken place in March, she said: "Someone’s going to know something, I need names, Preston is a small place and someone knows who this is.

"Please send me any information via my inbox (if you wish to remain anonymous I will treat it as so) or contact the police directly. Someone clearly has it in for me and is trying their best to ruin my business and my life.

"Im 20 years old and I don’t deserve any of this. We have only just been allowed back to work since being in lockdown. I’ve worked so hard to get my salon back to normal after last time and now it’s happened all over again. Please help."

Four fire crews from Preston, Fulwood, Penwortham and Bamber Bridge were called to reports of the commercial property up in flames in the early hours of September 28.

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An investigation has now been launched after the salon was set alight in the suspected arson attack.

Images from CCTV footage was posted to the salon's Facebook page, showing a hooded male setting fire to the beauty business before riding away on a bike just before 12 am on September 27.

Once called out, firefighters used two breathing apparatus, one hose reel and a ventilation unit to extinguish the fire.

Crews were in attendance approximately two hours and forty five minutes.

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A spokesperson from the Lancashire Police said: "We were called at 12.23am today to reports of arson at a commercial premises in Blackpool Road, Preston. No arrests have been made. Enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0022 of September 28th, 2020".