Blaze guesthouse may have to be knocked down
A FORMER guesthouse where Manchester’s ‘hidden’ homeless lived might have to be knocked down after it was gutted by a fire.
The cause of the blaze at Val’s Hotel is still unknown, as crews cannot go inside to investigate yet as it is too unsafe.
The building, in Ardwick, might have to be bulldozed.
It became engulfed by flames on Saturday morning. Around 50 firefighters tackled the blaze as it sent billowing plumes of smoke across the area.
The fire started at around 10.40am. Nobody was inside at the time, fire chiefs said.
Val’s was recently featured in an M.E.N. investigation into the state of
private B&Bs, where hundreds of Manchester’s ‘hidden homeless’ were living.
The terraced property contains around 60 rooms and was classed as ‘unsupported temporary accommodation’ for people who are not owed a homelessness ‘duty’ by the local authority.
The guesthouse has been vacant for several months after the previous owner, Dee Chiandra, sold the business. He told the M.E.N. he sold Val’s in April and was not aware of the fire.
The current owners said: “We are currently monitoring the area 24/7 in view of starting repairs to the whole of the building.
“We have only just acquired the property recently and are shocked at what has happened and will conduct a full investigation to how it started and to ensure it never happens again.
“This property was purchased vacant.”
Incident commander, Al Topping, said: “Crews have done a fantastic job dealing with this fire.
“We were quick to respond and have been able to successfully get on top of it – thanks to the hard work of our firefighters.”