WH Bowker warehouse facility destroyed by business park fire

WH Bowker has seen its Leyland warehousing facility destroyed after a massive fire swept through the Lancashire Enterprise Business Park yesterday (21 December).

At its height, the blaze required 100 firefighters to contain it, and although now under control, five buildings, including WH Bowker’s, were destroyed.

WH Bowker, the group’s UK arm, has an O-licence for 100 vehicles and 132 trailers at its nearby Bamber Bridge, Preston headquarters, where WH Bowker International is also registered for 45 vehicles and 150 trailers.

A company statement on the firm’s group website reads: “At approximately 17:15 hours on the 21/12/2011 we were made aware that a fire had started in the warehouse adjoining our Leyland facility at Centurion Way.

“To ensure there were no casualties we evacuated our site, unfortunately the fire could not be contained by the fire brigade and our own building has been totally destroyed.

“In the meantime we assure everyone that the rest of our transport and warehousing operation is unaffected and will continue as normal.”

WH Bowker also has a facility in Hull, where its international business is licensed to run up to 20 vehicles and 60 trailers.