Demolition work has begun on a fire ravaged former warehouse.
The vacant building, in Blackburn Road, Church, Accrington, went up in flames on Saturday, August 20, with fire crews from six stations working throughout the night and well into Sunday to bring the blaze under control.
Roads in the area were closed, with some parts remaining blocked off to the public over safety concerns in relation to the building after the fire took hold in the afternoon.
Following assessments by the council, gas network, building surveyors and other relevant bodies, a decision was made to demolish the building, which is a Grade II listed warehouse, known locally as The Wharf.
MP for Hyndburn, Sara Britcliffe, met with councillors, including leader of Hyndburn Council Miles Parkinson, on Tuesday to discuss the next steps.
It was decided that work needed to be carried out to make the building and roads around it safe, and on Tuesday evening, some of the walls were brought down to a height deemed as reasonable for re-opening the area to cars and pedestrians.
Images sent to the Lancashire Telegraph on Tuesday show the beginning stages of the demolition work, with resident Marcus Rawcliffe-Pollard saying: "Tonight saw the final chapter of one of our oldest standing buildings, Hargreaves warehouse.
"Multiple businesses have been affected by the fire that ravaged this building on Saturday and tonight it's been demolished so businesses can safely gain access to their respected buildings."
MP for Hyndburn Sara Britcliffe said yesterday (August 23): "Today we held a critical incident meeting where it was confirmed that work would be done to make the building safe, which meant taking some of the walls down to a height deemed as safe.
"The priority now is to get work done to make it safe so that the roads can be opened for the businesses in the area.
"This work is currently taking place as we speak and an assessment will be done once works are carried out to see if the road can be opened. This is a priority for all."
A multi-agency fire investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.
Officially listed with Historic England as Canal Warehouse, the building was given Grade-II listing in 1976, but was built more than 190 years ago in 1836.
The listing states: "Canal warehouse on Leeds and Liverpool canal, 1836.
"Watershot coursed sandstone front and side (rubble at rear), slate roof.
"L-shaped plan, four storeys; to road, two gables with short linking range which contains a giant arch with rusticated voussoirs and a second floor window, and each side of this two windows on each floor.
"Block on right continues as long wing to rear, with round-arched openings at ground floor (now windows), three windows on each of two floors above, and three-tiered round-arched loading doors in side and gable walls of end bay.
"History: built by Hargreaves Brothers (calico printers etc.,) of Broad Oak, Accrington."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel