Torch role ends after shop blaze

Fire at Roll Ends Carpet shop, caused by OMBC burning away weeds from the front of the shop. Owner's son Jonathan Riley surveys the damage

OLDHAM Council will no longer use blow torches after attempts to rid the town centre of weeds ready for the North-West in Bloom campaign went up in smoke.

Council staff were using a blow torch to kill the roots when they accidentally set fire to the shop front at Roll End Carpets in King Street.

Flames licked up the tinder dry wood and set fire to the plastic sign above the door.

Shocked Jonathan Riley, son of owner Joseph Riley, was inside at the time.

He said: “Flames were going up the side as I was sitting here and could smell something burning. Basically, they set it on fire.

“They said they were using heat to get rid of the weeds for Britain in Bloom.”

Watch commander Mike Harris, from Chadderton Fire Station, said the crew used a thermal imaging camera to make sure the flames had not spread via the dry wood into the building.

Deputy council leader Jackie Stanton said gas weed-burning equipment was common practice to minimise the use of pesticides in a public area.

She added: “Our First Response team attended to board up the damage and clear away the timber.

“Above all, I am just relieved that nobody was injured. None of Roll End’s stock was damaged and they were able to remain open for trading — although we completely understand this was a most unwelcome inconvenience.

“We will be investigating exactly how this happened and until that process is complete we will not use the blow torch equipment.”