Dismay as another historic building goes up in flames

WARRINGTON Civic Society has expressed dismay as another historic building in the town went in up in flames at Thelwall earlier today.

Four fire engines tackled the fire in the roof space of a disused farm property in Bell Lane, believed to date back to the 1700s.

Civic Society Chairman John Shipley said: “I am Dismayed to see another historic building go up in flames.

“In this case there seems to be less public risk from any structural damage and emergency repairs must be the first consideration.

“There also needs to be a full and thorough investigation by the relevant authorities into how this was able to happen.”

Four fire engines attended a fire in the roof space at the historic barn at 8.01 am this morning (Tuesday).

Firefighters used a hose reel and a main jet to put out the fire in the building which measured approximately 15 metres by 20 metres. A butane gas cylinder was removed as a precaution.

Police attended to control traffic at the junction of Bell Lane and the A56 Stockport Road, which was closed for much of the day.

Crews attacked hot spots from the exterior of the property which had been examined by Warrington Borough Council structural engineers and deemed unsafe for anyone to enter.

Firefighting operations were completed at just after 14:50 and the incident was handed over to the site manager.

The barns are centered around a historic farm house on the edge of the village conservation area.

Despite objections from local councillors planners approved proposals for the barns to be converted into country homes with four new homes in the grounds.

The farm house is believed to date back to the mid-1700s and is believed to be the last remaining smallholding in the village, but it has not been used as a working farm for 80 years.

Civic Society Chairman John Shipley