Sprinkler Tank

Businesses homeless after major fire

Businesses homeless after major fire

A former mill used as a hub for small businesses is to be demolished after being severely damaged by fire. Tameside Council has taken the decision to demolish the building after safety reports indicated the ruins of the building are not safe. The mill, in Greater Manchester, was left “structurally unsound” following a blaze at the weekend.

 

Ray Mill, in Stalybridge, was reported to be on fire shortly before midnight on Saturday. Firefighters were still at the scene on Monday morning.

 

Mill fire leaves building ‘unsafe’

Firefighters who arrived at the scene of the blaze were confronted with a building that was well alight. At the height of the fire, it is reported that five storeys of the mill were affected. Because of the condition of the building following the fire, demolition work is to start as soon as possible. The council says, work is expected to take around a week.

 

While the mill remains unsafe, streets surrounding the building are to remain closed until demolition work is complete. Tame Street and Clarence Street are among the no-go areas.

 

Public services affected by blaze

Because of its close proximity to public services, the blaze was likely to lead to some disruption to gritting and waste disposal services. A nearby bus depot was the scene of an evacuation of vehicles during the major incident, with 80 buses being removed to a place of safety. The council said the buses had to be removed to safeguard public transport.

 

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze. Ray Mill housed around 15 small businesses, with many of them losing everything.

 

Retrofit sprinklers

Is your business concerned about the impact of fire? Are you considering retrofitting sprinklers? Talk to Nationwide Water Solutions, the UK’s leading sprinkler tank service. It supplies, installs and maintains sprinkler tanks, ensuring water is always on standby in the event of a blaze.