Family with young children and a dog rescued from flat fire in Preston

A family has been rescued after a huge blaze broke out at a block of flats in Preston overnight (Friday, October 2).
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Three adults and three children, as well as the family dog, were saved by firefighters who rushed to the burning home at 4.19am this morning.

The fire service said the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately after a rubbish bin outside the home was set alight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The fire had quickly spread to the block of flats, endangering the lives of all those inside.

Fire chiefs say a joint investigation into the suspected arson is being carried out today, alongside Lancashire Police.

Fire crews from Preston and Penwortham stations used a ladder to rescue the terrified family from the smoke-filled flat on the first floor, before handing them over to paramedics.

All six casualties were treated for smoke inhalation, with three of them taken to Royal Preston Hospital for further treatment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Firefighters brought the blaze under control and extinguished it using two hose reels, six breathing apparatus and two ventilation units.

Six people, including three children, have been rescued from a flat fire in Duke Street, Preston in the early hours of this morning (Friday, October 2). Pic: GoogleSix people, including three children, have been rescued from a flat fire in Duke Street, Preston in the early hours of this morning (Friday, October 2). Pic: Google
Six people, including three children, have been rescued from a flat fire in Duke Street, Preston in the early hours of this morning (Friday, October 2). Pic: Google

A fire service spokesman said: "Fire crews from Preston and Penwortham, including the aerial ladder platform from Preston, were called to a fire on Duke Street, Preston.

"A large fire was located outside the front of a property but had spread to the building and a first floor flat.

"The building consisted of several flats. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued several people from the building including three adults, three children and a dog using fire service smoke hoods and a ladder.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"All casualties were assessed by paramedics at the scene for the effects of smoke inhalation and three of those casualties were transported to hospital for treatment.

"Firefighters are currently still in attendance damping down and a joint investigation into the cause of the fire will begin as soon as a possible."

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.