URGENT APPEAL: Teen still missing after barn blaze

Louis Simpson, 14, was last seen in the local area before the fire and police are now "seriously concerned for his welfare."

Nigel Barraclough, Force Incident Manager for Lancashire Police said: "At this moment in time Louis could be anywhere. We are seriously concerned for his welfare as he is currently unaccounted for."

Police believe he may have been at the barn with a group of friends when the fire broke out but while they have been traced, Louis is still missing.

The barn fire, which started at £2m property Fairhurst Hall in Chorley Road, Parbold, was reported to emergency services at around 3pm on Sunday, 29 January.

Police and fire services remain at the scene of the fire today and Chorley Road remains closed between the junctions with Robin Lane and The Delph.

At its height, five fire engines from across the North West were sent to the incident, however three fire engines are thought to be currently at the scene.

Fire services are continuing to damp down pockets of fire and are using a drone to assist in their search for missing teen Louis Simpson.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said last night: "There were number of challenging aspects to this incident; the fire involved asbestos and there are concerns that someone may have been in the building at the time the fire started.

"Firefighters are still at the scene due to concerns that a missing 14-year-old boy who was last seen in the area before the fire started may be inside the barn."

Police are urging anyone with information on Louis' whereabouts to contact them on 101 quoting log number 0828 of 29 January.

Picture credit: Marc Melander