Burnley children's charity base wrecked by fire (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley children's charity base wrecked by fire

7:20pm Tuesday 19th January 2010 in

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A CHILDREN'S charity was badly damaged by fire — on the day of a high profile industrial tribunal against the firm.

But police have ruled out any link between the blaze on Monday night at Cool UK, Travis Street, Burnley, and tribunal in which Cherie Blair's stepmother Stephanie Booth is claiming unfair dismissal.

Firefighters are conducting forensic tests but believe the cause was accidental.

Staff at COOL UK yesterday worked tirelessly to remove burnt electrical equipment after large flames wrecked a classroom and left a hole in the roof.

It was closed yesterday and will be closed for the 'foreseeable future'.

COOL UK’s area manager for Burnley, Nigel Holmes, said: “We have great sympathy with the youngsters who use this facility everyday because some of their work has been lost in the fire, and the lessons in building construction have been suspended.

“Our staff team has been working as hard as they can to get rid of the water which came through the hole in the roof.

“Its not the start we were looking forward to in 2010, but we have to move on and get the lessons back on track as soon as we can.

“We are hoping to move some of the lessons into the workshop, because most of the damage was in the classroom.”

The unit specialises in teaching under 16s, who are not involved in full-time education, various trades to bring them up to employment standards in health and beauty, building construction and motor vehicle engineering.

More than 40 under-16s use the training facility.

A spokesman from the fire service said: “It was a severe fire which saw a substantial response from fire crews.

“Forensic evidence was being collected as soon as the fire was extinguished but no clues have been left as to what started the fire yet.

"The crews left after four hours so the forensic side of the work could start, however, we are not treating it as suspicious at this point.”

Police said they were not linking the fire with the pending tribunal at this time.

Anyone with information on the incident should call Burnley police on 01282 425001.