Maple mystery

BRIEFING . . . (from left) Chief Insp Rob Tinsley, Kevin Talbot (deputy borough commander Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service) and John Eley, assistant executive director of Oldham Council

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.