Inquiry after blaze tears through derelict building
ARMISTICE Day commemorations, a health centre and public transport were disrupted after a large fire took hold of a derelict building in Haslingden.
Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform from Rawtenstall, Bacup, Hyndburn and Great Harwood rushed to the blaze at the former Stepping Stones child development unit, on Greenfield Gardens, shortly after 10.15am on Thursday, November 11.
The incident, which is under investigation, saw several roads in the vicinity closed and residents urged to keep their windows and doors shut if they could smell smoke with thick plumes visible for miles around.
In an update at 5.30pm the fire service said the flames had been extinguished and there was no longer a smoke plume, as investigation work got underway.
Witness Jack Pilling said: “We saw the fire when we were on our way to Haslingden Methodist Church. Apparently, the Health Centre car park was full when the fire started so everyone had to leave so the fire engines could come on. As far as I know there were no cars damaged.”
Road closures on the A680 Manchester Road and Warner Street from Manchester Road to Helmshore Road caused congestion and delays to build from lunchtime.
The Burnley Bus Company cancelled two afternoon Witchway services between Manchester and Burnley, and Rosso’s 464 and 481 services were also hit by roads being closed because of the building fire. On Facebook
on November 11, Haslingden Healthcare wrote: “Please do not use the Health Centre car park due to a fire at the
adjacent building.”
There was still no access to the health centre car park on Friday due to the closure of Warner
Street. A spokesperson for Rossendale borough council said on November 11: “There is a fire in a derelict building at
Greenfield Gardens, Haslingden.
“Emergency services are at the scene, but we ask that people avoid the area if possible.”
The building closed suddenly in August 2016 after failing fire safety checks.