‘Toast Rack’ blaze was arson, say fire bosses
A FIRE at the ‘Toast Rack’ building is being treated as a suspected arson, it has been revealed.
The developers of the Grade II listed building in Fallowfield say they have beefed up security at the site as they believe it was started by intruders.
However, they have revealed the damage caused is ‘minimal’ and it will not hold up their transformation of the site.
A fire service spokesman confirmed the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately.
Emergency crews from across south Manchester raced to the scene at around 8pm on Wednesday night after smoke was seen billowing from windows on the seventh floor. The roads around it were also closed as debris was spotted falling onto the ground below.
It took six crews around an hour to extinguish the blaze and bring the situation under control.
The former Manchester Metropolitan University building was sold three years ago with plans to transform it into 200 new flats, a gym and shops.
Shehzad Chaudhri, from Generation Ltd, said: “We can confirm that the fire was contained in one room on the top floor of the building. According to the fire brigade, the fire was more than likely to have been started by intruders who had forced entry into the building as there was no power to that part of the building and no works being carried out on that floor.
“In response to the break-in, we have secured the building and improved security as well as increasing our patrol staff, and the addition of a guard dog.
“We would like to urge members of the public not to try to gain entry to the building, which is currently unsafe.
“We look forward to continuing our work to bring the building back to its former glory and into use.”
Police say they cannot yet confirm a cause of the blaze.
However, a fire service spokesman confirmed it is believed to have been started deliberately.