Arson probe into blaze at ‘mansion’
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched following a large blaze at an abandoned ‘ mansion’ in Macclesfield that is being treated as arson.
Firefighters were called to the scene on Wednesday, August 5, shortly after 7pm, to find the disused three-story building on Beech Lane well alight.
The fire began in the roof and the back of the building and crews used three main jets to tackle the flames.
Crews tackled the blaze through the night, splitting the building into sectors and also using breathing apparatus and an aerial appliance.
They removed tiles from the roof to expose hotspots.
An investigation has found the fire was deliberately started and police are now appealing for information.
A building inspector has visited to assess the damage and the public have been told to stay away as the building is unsafe.
A witnesses at the scene said the building was a former 14 bed mansion and was due to be demolished.
James Kitchman said that firefighters initially struggled to get the blaze under control at the ‘14bed mansion’.
James Kitchman said : “It’s a shame to see such a beautiful old property destroyed.”
He added that firefighters had struggled to get the blaze under control in part due to trying to erect the big ladder truck directly under a massive tree then having to give up and move it.
Beech Lane remained closed from Hibel Road to Brocklehurst Way until Thursday morning as emergency services put a cordon was set up.
A total of eleven fire engines were involved in tackling the blaze, from as far away as Crewe, Sandbach and Stockport.
Crews remained at the scene on Thursday morning to look for hotspots and dampen them down.
No one was inside the building at the time of the fire. A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “On arrival crews found that the detached three-storey brick building measuring approximately 15 metres by 25 metres was well alight. Firefighters were in attendance for around 20 hours. They handed the incident over to the owner of the building.
“An investigation into the cause of the fire has taken place. The fire is believed to have been started deliberately.”
Anyone with any information can call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting reference number IML 772604, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.