Warning over fires at our local landmarks
HERITAGE experts are warning of an increasing number of arson attacks on historic buildings in the North West.
The former Birkdale School for Hearing Impaired Children is among local landmarks which have fallen victim to deliberate fires in recent years.
Now the five fire and rescue services across the North West, including Merseyside and Lancashire, have produced a guide to owners in a bid to keep our local landmarks safe from attack.
Over the past year, Historic England and fire services say, they have seen a worrying rise in the number of fires at historic properties.
Vacant buildings are disproportionately affected, and it is estimated that over half of the useable buildings on Historic England’s North West Heritage at Risk Register could become a target for arson due to vacancy.
A recent survey of textile mills across Greater Manchester indicates that around 50 significant textile mill fires since 2010 have fallen victim to blazes, with 20 registered as deliberate.
Historic England NW has been working in partnership with the five North West fire and rescue services to help property owners take preventative measures against arson.
An arson risk reduction guide has been produced, with a simple risk assessment form that can be completed by those owning or managing historic buildings or sites to help them preserve life and heritage in the Northw West.
Charles Smith, principal adviser, Heritage at Risk, Historic England NW, said: ”Historic buildings are irreplaceable. Fires can wreak havoc in a matter of minutes, damaging historic fabric, causing a building’s economic value to plummet and harming part of the nation’s shared cultural resource.
“We are delighted to be working with all five fire and rescue services in the North West and the National Fire Chiefs Council to provide free guidance on how to reduce the risk of heritage related arson and safeguard life.
“We encourage all owners of historic buildings to use the guide and risk assessment form to consider how safe their building really is from arson and how to prioritise actions to help it stand up to this deadly threat.”
Mick Dears, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Watch Manager, said: “There are some very simple measures which can be taken to dramatically reduce the chances of an arson attack. “Awareness of the risk is the key. “Owners and building managers must be aware that ‘arson could happen to us’ rather than thinking that ‘fire is something that happens to other people’. Effective arson risk reduction involves everyone who lives, works or volunteers within a building and its grounds.”
To download a copy of the guide visit: www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk