A man is missing after a building thought to have been used by rough sleepers went up in flames earlier this week.

Emergency services were called at 6.30pm on Tuesday to reports of a fire at a property near the city centre in Church Street.

Searches are forming in part of the site and police are appealing for information regarding missing man, Marcin Kozierowski as part of these enquiries to ensure he is safe and well.

The 37-year-old is homeless and is known to sleep outdoors. 

He is around 5'9, slim, has light brown hair, with a full brown beard and has links to Preston city centre.

Work has begun on a partial demolition of the site, with road closures in place for vehicles and pedestrians.

Further work took place yesterday, Friday, November 15, and is expected to continue into the weekend.

The closures are in Manchester Road and Church Street, Church Row and Church Street and Guild Row and Church Street, with diversions in place.

A joint investigation between police and fire services is ongoing and police are working with partners, including Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council.

Supt Gary Crowe, of Lancashire Police said: “This remains very much a multi-agency operation to manage the response to a fire in Church Street, Preston.

“We have received information around the possibility of people sleeping rough within the building and this is forming part of our enquiries, including a search to find a missing man.

“Some demolition work has started and is expected to continue into the weekend, with road closures and diversions in place.

“We continue to monitor the situation and will update you in due course.”

If you have any information, please contact police on 101, quoting log 1197 of November 12.