ANOTHER BUILE HILL PARK BUILDING GOES UP IN SMOKE

Yet again another building in Buile Hill Park has been set alight, this time it was in broad daylight. 

Eight fire appliances attended the park to fight the blaze which was started shortly after 5pm. Fire crews quickly established a safe perimeter around the building and closed the section of Eccles Old Road adjacent to the park to a single lane so they could source water from a hydrant to help fight the fire.

This comes little over a fortnight from when we reported on a fire which ripped through the disused union building within the same compound...

Fire fighters used a hydraulic platform to tackle the fire from above as it was far too dangerous for them to enter the building as the roof was in a state of collapse, a Fire Command Unit was sent to the scene but  it left shortly afterwards as the crews had for the most part brought the fire under control and the operation was scaled back.

It is unclear as yet as to how the blaze started but whilst I was taking these photos I overheard mention that there had been a group of kids playing in the building earlier that day. It was said that metal coverings had been pulled off and a window had been smashed to gain access. It is unknown if they were responsible for setting the building alight but the building is derelict and boarded up for a reason as its dangerous.

The buildings are set to be demolished as part of an attempt to attract a purchaser for the site which includes the Grade II listed mansion house which was home of the former mining museum.

The Edwardian 'Hot House' remains untouched but I can't help but feel that sooner or later it too will end up with a similar fate if something is not done to better protect it.

The site does have CCTV cameras but it is unclear if they are operational.