LANCASHIRE cops have launched an urgent hunt for a missing homeless man after a fire at a derelict building where they believe some people were sleeping rough.
Emergency services were called on Tuesday to a fire at the derelict property in Preston – where a search is ongoing for Marcin Kozierowski, 37.
MEN MediaMarcin Kozierowski, 37, is missing[/caption]
MEN MediaEmergency services and fire brigades at the building site[/caption]
On Friday evening police said they had launched a search for Marcin to ensure he is found “safe and well”.
A joint probe was launched with cops and fire services – as well as Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council.
It comes as the city is working to demolish the building.
A police statement read: “Emergency services were called around 6.30pm on Tuesday to a report of a fire at a property near to the city centre in Church Street.
“At this time we have information people may have been sleeping rough in the building and a search is forming part of the activity on site.
“We have issued an appeal to find a missing man, Marcin Kozierowski, 37, as part of these enquiries to ensure he is safe and well.”
They said demolition work had begun and would continue into the weekend.
Superintendant Gary Crowe, with Lancashire Police, added: “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.”
MEN MediaThe building caught fire on Tuesday[/caption]
MEN MediaWork has now begun to knock it down[/caption]