Woman hospitalised with burns after catastrophic fire at Goosnargh Gin distillery

Rachel Trenchard, who owns and operates Goosnargh Gin with her husband Richard, was hospitalised on Monday morning (August 31) after a fire at the distillery in Bleasdale Road.

Mrs Trenchard suffered burns to her face and hands and was cared for at the scene by firefighters who administered first aid and oxygen until paramedics arrived.

She was then rushed to Royal Preston Hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment. She has since been discharged to continue her recovery at home.

Fire crews from Preston, Fulwood and Bamber Bridge tackled the fire for more than four hours, but the blaze has devastated the Tudor-style building housing the micro-distillery.

What happened?

The fire broke out at 7.45am on Monday (August 31) after a traditional copper still exploded, sending burning alcohol splashing across the room.

Mrs Trenchard managed to escape through French doors and onto outside decking, but she was injured on the way out by flash flames of burning spirit.

A fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters from Preston, Fulwood and Bamber Bridge were allied to reports of a fire involving a premises in Bleasdale Road, Preston.

"The fire involved an outbuilding gin distillery and crews extinguished the fire using four breathing apparatus, two ventilation units, a triple extension ladder, ceiling hook and hose reel.

"Firefighters also administered first aid and oxygen therapy to one casualty at the scene prior to ambulance crews arriving.

"They were then taken to hospital via ambulance. Crews were in attendance approximately four hours and twenty minutes."

For the past two years, Rachel and Richard Trenchard have been crafting small batches of Goosnargh Gin at their micro-distillery at the foot of Beacon Fell.

You can learn more about Goosnargh Gin and how it all began in our 2018 interview with Rachel and Richard here.