Over 300 tonnes of scrap metal caught fire at a recycling centre in Preston, prompting a significant response from Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service.
Crews were called to the fire at Global Ardour on Longridge Road at around 1.30am on Saturday morning (18 July) and quickly realised the scale of the fire meant the incident would be ‘protracted’.
If you can smell or see smoke, you are advised to close your windows and doors.
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The fire service warned that they expect to be in attendance throughout the weekend at Global Ardour and that the incident may even continue into next week.
Ian Armistead, speaking from the scene this morning, said: “We received the call at around 1.30am that there was a fire at the site and upon arrival we discovered around 300 tonnes of scrap metal on fire.
“Firefighters, alongside staff, have battled hard throughout the night, to make sure the fire is contained to the site, but there is a significant smoke plume coming off the incident which will be visible for some time.
“We are expecting this to be protracted, throughout the weekend, and possibly into next week and we are asking people to avoid the area to allow us to fight the fire safely. If you can see smoke, or smell smoke, please close all windows and doors, and we thank you for your patience.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: “At 01:25 hours on 18 July 2026, several appliances and the high-volume pump, command unit, double hose box, aerial ladder platform and drone from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire on Longridge Road, Preston.
“Firefighters are currently using two main jets to extinguish the fire. Crews remain in attendance.”
