'While I'm not religious, it still was a church that just seems to have been there forever'
Rain poured over Preston as fire crews from across Lancashire battled to put out a blaze which had torn through the heart of yet another community.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel Play now Footage from the incident showed huge plumes of smoke billowing into the air as crews battled to keep the flames under control. Despite the size of the flames, many residents living nearby were only confronted with the scene of devastation this morning .
Claire Cooke, who also lives on Inkerman Street. Standing at the door with her young baby, she said: "I normally wake up very easily. Any noise my son makes and I normally wake up. I even had the windows open and I didn't smell any smoke." Many members of the community told LancsLive they have fond memories of community groups and events taking place at the church. A resident of De Lacy street remembers going with her friends children to play group in the church hall.
She said: "I've seen people coming away from the church as if they've been leaving for work. Most people round here are sure there have been people living in the church since it's been abandoned.'