Bosses of destroyed store told to clear up fire aftermath
THE owners of a supermarket destroyed in an inferno have been ordered to clean up the foulsmelling debris.
Sixty firefighters tackled the blaze at the Wing Fat cash and carry in Beswick, which broke out on the morning of October 24.
About 15 staff and shoppers fled the scene. The factory was left a charred ruin following the outrbreak and the site remains closed.
Now Manchester city council has served a notice on Wing Fat to remove tonnes of burnt waste after complaints from resident about the appalling smell.
When the M.E.N. visited the site this week, there was an overpowering smell and gas vapours could be seen wafting from the mounds of waste.
Around 90 per cent of the building was damaged by the blaze. The fire was so intense crews remained stationed at the building for several days and part of Ashton Old Road was closed.
Police are investigating claims £35,000 was taken from a safe in the burnt-out shell of the supermarket.
But in the meantime, environmental health officers at the council have ordered the business to take action over the foul stench which is now polluting the air.
It will require specialists as some of it contains animal by-products.
Coun Nigel Murphy, Manchester city council executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “Following the fire we have been working closely with the owners of Wing Fat to ensure the remaining waste is removed in a timely and appropriate manner.
“It is our understanding that work is due to start as soon as possible and we will be monitoring the situation to ensure the problem is resolved quickly.”
One line of inquiry by fire investigators is that the blaze started in the mezzanine area where drums of cooking oil were stored and thousands of polystyrene packages.
Witnesses said the store went up rapidly.
More than 60 people who lived near the building were evacuated and forced to spend two nights elsewhere.
Demolition crews have removed the roof of the supermarket, which is on Gorton Road.
No one at Wing Fat could be contacted, but it is understood the owners have hired a contractor to remove the charred rubble and waste.