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Maple mystery
Reporter: USMA RAJA
Date online: 27 April 2009
Confusion surrounds blaze mill owners
MYSTERY still surrounds the cause of a monstrous blaze at Maple Mill 2 last week — and who owns it.
Ever since the fire, Oldham Council has been working with the emergency services to try to establish what caused it.
With the main building destroyed by the blaze, the remainder of the structure has been demolished for safety reasons.
Controversial kitchen trader Vance Miller (pictured, far right) watched in horror as 100 firefighters fought 60ft flames at his Rock Solid Kitchens firm in Cardwell Street.
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.
It isn’t clear whether the generator was the cause of the blaze but officers are hopeful the investigation will give clues as to what went wrong.
At Friday’s briefing, John Eley, assistant executive director of Oldham Council, said a letter had been sent to all residents to keep them up to date with events.
He added: “The fire is currently in the damping-down phase after the initial outbreak, and fire crews are continuing to tackle the incident on the site, with support from police.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known and is being investigated.”
Building controls manager Jeremy Hall (pictured left) said the council was in discussions with Mr Miller in connection with the ownership of the mill which is not yet clear.
He said: “I have no information from my sources yet, and that includes the Land Registry, about who owns the mill.
“Mr Miller hasn’t said one way or the other who owns it and we haven’t completed our research yet.”
Kevin Talbot, deputy borough commander, said firefighters will remain at the site 24 hours a day.
He added: “It will be a long process and we have specialist investigation officers working to establish a cause of the fire.”
About 50 residents were initially evacuated from their homes following the inferno in Hathershaw. All have now been instructed to return to their homes.
Villages Housing Association has set up a special walk-in support and advice service at its offices at 2 Fircroft Avenue, Fitton Hill. Tenants can also call 0161-633 4060.
Tenants of First Choice Homes can call its Copsterhill office on 0161-770 4600, 9am-5pm, or 0161-624 8286 (out of hours).
Anyone who has been affected by smoke inhalation as a result of the fire, or with other health concerns, can call NHS Direct on 0845-4647.
Comments
So, even the Council cant say who owns the Mill? So who have they been sending local tax demands to??
I despise the disparaging comments made by Miller about the Fire Service. One thing is for certain, I would trust any fire-fighter immensely more than I would trust Miller.
I have heard that it is highly unlikley that a diesel generator would burst into flames .
Oldham Council are officially inept, how can they not know who owns this mill, this has to be the biggest joke yet.
How on earth can they not know, the Trading Standards department have been relentless in the pursuit of Miller.
Completely ignore issues that some say they should be after like the disgraceful state of the fast food shops.
John Eley? Who he then? Another one of the overpaid bunch slipped into the council workforce? For a moment, when I saw the picture I thought we had captured one of Alcock's travellers, he looks like he's been dragged through a hedge, backwards. If senior officers of this council can't be bothered to look the part it is no wonder this town has become such a dump. Do we want these people speaking for us? Is this the image of Oldham we want projecting?
Its not often that I back this incompetent council, however on this occasion I will.
The owner of the mill does not pay the Business Rates if he has a tenant, it is the tenant who pays. There is no need for the council to establish ownership if the tenant is paying.
Ownership is recorded at the Land Registry not the council.
I hope Eley is the scruffiest OMBC employee: if he isn't the rest must be an even worse advert for our Borough!
I am surprised that there has been no mention of the public health risk (caused by the fire, not Eley!): presumably the Maple had asbestos in it? The smoke etc was spread borough-wide over a period of days. How many of us are expected to get asbestos-related cancers because of it?
Is it just me thinking that surely the person who pays the bulding controls manager would own the building?
And how can the land registry not be clear? And if the building is owned by Oldham Council, would they be responsbile as Landlords for checking Health & Safety on the Site? Is this the real reason why no one wants to admit to ownership?
Have Your Say
"Mr Miller hasn't said one way or the other who owns it" !Typical of the man! Has he got something to hide?
By Meldroo @ 27/04/2009 12:56:38