Fire closes Blackpool Magistrates' Court with all hearings moved to Preston

The decision to transfer court business to Preston was made after a fire broke out in the car park underneath the court building at 4.15pm on Sunday (June 21).

Fire crews arrived at the scene to find a rubbish bin well alight, with firefighters tackling the flames for around an hour.

It is not known at this stage whether the fire is believed to have been deliberate or accidental.

Lancashire Police has been approached for comment but it said the fire had not been reported to them.

The extent of the damage to the court precinct is unclear at this stage, but the fire has forced the court to move all its hearings to Preston.

A message on the court's website says: "Due to an incident over the weekend, Blackpool Magistrates’ Court is closed today.

"All hearings have been transferred to Preston Magistrates’ Court."

A fire service spokesman said: "We were called to a fire in the open in Chapel Street, Blackpool which firefighters found located in an underground car park.

"The time of call was 4.15pm on June 21 and we sent one crew from Blackpool to attend.

"On arrival they found the fire involved a rubbish bin which they extinguished using breathing apparatus and one hose reel.

"The incident was then handed over to Blackpool Council. We were in attendance approximately one hour."

Blackpool Magistrates' Court has been approached for comment.