Fire rips through Longridge cheesemakers

Sixty firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a cheesemakers in Longridge.

The fire broke out at Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses around 9:30pm last night (November 6), at the company’s office and packing site on the Shay Lane Industrial Estate.

No injuries were reported.

Longridge High School and St Cecila's RC High School are closed today as a result.

Ten fire engines from Longridge, Preston, Fulwood, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham, Chorley, Hyndburn, Blackburn, and Wesham, together with two aerial ladder platforms, one stinger appliance, a drone unit, a high-volume pump, and a command unit, attended the incident.

The incident involved a commercial building approximately 80x60m in size. No casualties were reported. Firefighters used the aerial ladder platforms, three main jets, and a water bowser to extinguish the fire.

That was reduced to six fire engines in attendance this morning along with two aerial ladder platforms from Hyndburn and Blackpool and the command support unit from Blackburn.

Firefighters are continuing to dampen down the fire.

In a statement, Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses said: ''Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has worked through the night to bring a fire at our office and packing site on Shay Lane, Longridge under control. Crews will remain on site for the next 24-48 hours and we would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work in challenging circumstances.

''Our dairy, which is a separate site in Inglewhite, was not impacted and continues to turn milk into cheese today. Our priority is supporting and looking after all of our team - our extended family - and we have been touched by the support from our local community and our customers.''