Fire crews search abandoned pub after blaze alert

Three fire appliances, two from Preston and one from Penwortham, were called to the Old England pub in Ribbleton Lane at around 2pm today.

Initally the fire was reported to be at a nearby school.

However firefighter were redirected to to the former public house.

On arrival they found a large amount of rubbish at the rear of the property was alight with smoke drifting into the building.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue service said: "It was initially believed there were people still inside the premises.

"Four teams wearing breathing apparatus and using hose reels were committed to carry out a search.

"It was later reported that everybody was accounted for."

The rubbish fire was extinguished using water from a hose reel.

The fire is now under investigation.