Preston car park fire sees FedEx van torched in arson attack

By Matthew Calderbank
Published 24th Aug 2023, 13:14 BST
Updated 24th Aug 2023, 13:20 BST
The FedEx van was found ablaze in Avenham Street Car Park near Preston city centre on Saturday, August 19. (Picture by Somewhere in Preston)The FedEx van was found ablaze in Avenham Street Car Park near Preston city centre on Saturday, August 19. (Picture by Somewhere in Preston)
The FedEx van was found ablaze in Avenham Street Car Park near Preston city centre on Saturday, August 19. (Picture by Somewhere in Preston)
A woman has been charged with torching a FedEx van in a Preston car park.

The delivery van was found ablaze in Avenham Street Car Park, near the city centre, on Saturday, August 19.

Police and fire crews were called to the car park and a 35-year-old woman was arrested and taken into custody.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pictures from the scene show the FedEx van engulfed in flames with the fire spreading to a BMW parked next to it, melting its rear bumper.

Pictures from the scene show the FedEx van engulfed in flames with the fire spreading to a BMW parked next to it, melting its rear bumper. (Picture by Somewhere in Preston)Pictures from the scene show the FedEx van engulfed in flames with the fire spreading to a BMW parked next to it, melting its rear bumper. (Picture by Somewhere in Preston)
Pictures from the scene show the FedEx van engulfed in flames with the fire spreading to a BMW parked next to it, melting its rear bumper. (Picture by Somewhere in Preston)

Fortunately, fire crews made it quickly to the scene and were able to tackle the blaze before it caused further damage to the BMW.

No injuries were reported, but the 35-year-old suspect was alleged to have assaulted two emergency workers.

Lancashire Police said Sarah Blackburn, of no fixed address, was later charged with arson, criminal damage and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

She was due to attend Preston Magistrates’ Court on Monday (August 21).