Fire chief hits back at Vance blast

Brigade let Maple burn, says Miller

A FIRE chief has slammed stinging claims by controversial kitchen trader Vance Miller that they didn’t do enough to save his empire.

In a damning statement through his spokeswoman, Mr Miller (43) said firefighters made a decision not to go inside Maple Mill 2 — allowing it to burn to the ground.

The colourful businessman, who had his homes in Ramsbottom and Calderdale firebombed in August, 2006, watched in horror on Tuesday night as 100 firefighters fought 60ft flames at his Rock Solid Kitchens firm in Cardwell Street, Hathershaw.

It began around a diesel generator before spreading to wooden pallets and causing gas cylinders to explode, destroying six-storey Maple Mill 2, used for production.

Following the multi-million-pound blaze, Mr Miller revealed he had been unable to get insurance for the mill for machinery and stock.

Mr Miller’s spokeswoman, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We feel the fire brigade allowed the fire to take hold before making any attempt to fight it.

“It was a very small fire that could have been tackled but they made a decision not to go in the mill and let it burn.

“They are fire-watchers rather than fire-fighters. Vance has no faith in the fire brigade.

“Members of staff had to put fires out in neighbouring Maple Mill 1 to stop that taking hold while firemen watched.”

Assistant county fire officer Tony Ciaramella hit back at the damning allegations and blamed faulty fire-safety equipment in the mill.

He said: “Our priority when tackling incidents must always be the safety of the public and our firefighters.

“Our first fire engine arrived within three minutes of the first of some 100 calls received, the earliest of which reported cylinders exploding and people still inside the building.

“Once it was confirmed that all staff had left the building, firefighters withdrew for their own safety. This was due to information received about conditions within the mill, such as holes in the floors, flammable stock and defective fixed fire-fighting equipment.

“Crews worked extremely hard throughout the night.”

An investigation is under way to determine the cause.

Preparations are now being made to demolish the remaining part of the mill. There are still four homes in Dowry Street cordoned off, their owners kept out.

Residents have raised concerns about asbestos being present in the mill, but the fire brigade say their investigations so far have found no evidence of it.

Concerns about water supplies running out from the Alexandra Park lake supply and endangering fish life have now been addressed by the decision to switch to a hydrant supply. Medlock Bridge Angling Club was worried about the danger to fish life in both the lake and a linked duck pond.

Council officers are working closely with the club to ensure that measures are taken to protect species on the site.