Police investigate shipping container fire in Great George Street

Fire crews were called to the fire at around 6.05am, where they found a pile of burning tyres outside an industrial unit next door to Raza Mosque.

Nearby shipping containers used for storage had also caught fire, leading the fire service to suspect foul-play.

Three fire engines from Preston and Penwortham attended with firefighters using a foam jet to extinguish the blaze.

Preston fire station tweeted: "The quick professional actions of experienced Preston Fire crews prevented an intense fire spreading to a neighbouring building containing a large quantity of tyres."

Fire officers reported their suspicions to Lancashire Police and the force has confirmed that an investigation into its cause is under way.

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