Huge blaze rips through mill building
Safety fears delay inquiry
THE cause of a huge blaze at a derelict mill in Rochdale is not yet known - because the building is too unsafe to enter.
Around 80 per cent of Proofings Mill on Hare Hill Road, Littleborough, collapsed after a fire raged through the building on Saturday afternoon.
Fire bosses said it was too early to investigate what caused the blaze on Monday afternoon, as inspectors were still unable to get inside.
Firefighters were still at the scene extinguishing small pockets of fire.
Engines from Littleborough, Oldham, Blackley, Rochdale, Heywood and Hollins were sent to the mill when the blaze broke out at around 4.30pm on Saturday.
They spent all night battling the flames as the inferno spread to all three floors of the mill.
Residents at a dozen neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution.
They were allowed back into their homes at around 10pm.
People living nearby were urged to keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke from filling their homes.
The fire was almost out by Sunday morning, but there were still hotspots to be tackled.
Hare Hill Road was closed as firefighters arrived. It was reopened on Monday morning.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) bosses said crews would stay at the mill as demolition work began.
“An investigation into the cause of the fire has not taken place as the building is unsafe for operational crew to enter,” a statement added.
“Approximately 80 per cent of the building has now collapsed, with one section of the mill demolished. “Therefore the cause of the fire is undetermined due to the site being unsafe to investigate at this time.”