Thousands of pallets catch light

The flames could be seen up to one mile away, said the fire service

Fire crews have been tackling "severe" flames which reached 50ft (15m) at a storage yard in Preston where 25,000 pallets and plastics caught light.

More than 50 firefighters were called to the scene at 2210 GMT on Higher Walton Road in Higher Walton.

Water was pumped from the nearby River Darwen to help extinguish the flames, but there were fears the burning plastic could contaminate the river.

Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue are investigating the cause.

The flames could be seen one mile away because the wooden pallets were stacked 30 high in piles, the fire service said.

The spokesman added: "With the help of the hazardous material unit, firefighters managed to limit any potential damage to the environment.

"The wind direction, meant the smoke was blowing over the river and in the direction of nearby houses."

Officials from the Environment Agency have also been assisting.

At the height of the fire, crews had to use an aerial ladder to try to extinguish the flames.

The incident, which began in one corner of the yard, covered an area of 100sq m.

Two fire crews will remain at the scene for the next few days to ensure "all pockets of fire have been extinguished," officials said.