Hall of flame
Reporter: Janice Barker and Lewis Jones
Date published: 01 April 2011
UP to 40 people were evacuated from their homes as fire ripped through Oldham’s historic Drill Hall in Rifle Street.
The blaze took hold at 8pm last night and at one point 45 firefighters using two aerial machines were fighting the flames which broke through the roof. Homes in Rifle Street, Radcliffe Street and Lord Street were evacuated as a precaution as burning embers were blown into the night sky, posing a risk of the fire spreading.
The evacuees went to Coldhurst Community Centre but were allowed back into their homes at around 11pm.
Police wore protective masks but initial fears of asbestos cement in the roof were dispelled by the building’s owner.
Eyewitness Leanne Mills said: “There was black smoke everywhere and bits on fire were flying out from the building over roofs.
“Houses at the front of it have been evacuated and cordoned off. There were loads of people watching and it seemed like fire engines were everywhere.”
The red brick building which was 20 metres high and 60 metres long was originally the drill hall for Oldham’s famous Territorial Army soldiers including two tank regiments and 12 Centurion tanks.
It closed in 2002 after 104 years when it became surplus to requirements after the Government’s 1998 defence review. It was sold to a development company.
The iconic building was being used to store mattress and sofa foams and building materials as it was in the process of renovation.
Building inspectors will now have to access whether or not it will have to be torn down.
Watch Officer Reg Haye at Chadderton fire station said: “You could see the fire for miles, the wind was strong and we had to stop what could potentially been a massive fire spreading to homes.
“About half the inside were totally burnt burnt our and three sections of the roof are gone.”
No clear cause has been established and a full investigation will now be carried out.
As the fire raged last night a Salvation Army truck was used to care for evacuated residents, giving out blankets and refreshments.
Station Commander Paul Duggan from Greater Manchester Fire Service said crews found the building well alight when they arrived and battled for two hours get the flames under control.
He added: “The building is in five bays and two of them were affected. Up to 40 people were evacuated as a precaution because of the threat of the fire spreading.”
Capt John Cleverley from Greenfield, one of four trustees for the 10th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, and 41/44 Royal Tank Regiment Trust, said: “It was only bricks and mortar but there were a lot of memories there.
“At one time it was the building with the biggest unsupported roof in the north of England.”
