Large fire at former Blackburn presbytery

8:20am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

A HUGE blaze tore through an old Blackburn presbytery in a suspected arson attack.

The large detached property was ‘gutted’ in the blaze which is undestood to have started on the second floor of St John the Vianney RC Church presbytery, in Livesey Branch Road, at around 8pm yesterday (Sept 19).

Two crews, one from Blackburn and another from Darwen, attended the incident and police officers directed traffic away from the burning derelict building over concerns the fire had caused it to become structurally unsafe and to make sure firefighters could access a water supply from accross the road.

Blackburn crew manager Chris Foggarty said fire investigators are now looking into the cause of the blaze.

He said: “When we got there the flames were coming through the roof and the extent of the damage meant the structure became unsafe.

“It had started in one of the upstairs room and had travelled through the roof space. “Youths had been seen round the area and we believe they may have set fire to the property.

“It was dangerous for crews because quite a lot of the floors were missing where wiring has been stolen.

“We had a risk of falling through the floor and the roof falling dow at the same time. “It was quite treacherous.”

Inspector Ilyas Mohmed, of Blackburn police, said: “We were alerted to a fire at the old St John the Vianney vicarage by fire crews around 8.15pm.

“When we arrived the fire was well alight and had spread to the roof.

“As yet we do not know how the fire has stated but fire investigators are working to identify the source."

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

Comments (6)

9:38am Thu 20 Sep 12

Dave_P says...

Why was it derelict and yet still standing? Who has the most to gain from it's destruction? A couple of questions I would ask before blaming kids
Why was it derelict and yet still standing? Who has the most to gain from it's destruction? A couple of questions I would ask before blaming kids Dave_P

9:45am Thu 20 Sep 12

Joseph O'M says...

Between shortsighted council policy, and the wreckless action of a small number of individuals, Blackburn is continues to be stripped bit by bit of it's Victorian Architecture. In architectural terms, this was a very unusual and unique building, one quite apart stylistically from much of the other Victorian Architecture in Blackburn. It had been left for far too long, and sadly, the only real a surprise is that this didn't happen sooner. This building should have been loaned out rent free for community purposes to allow it to be used and kept in at least a manageable condition. It was worthy of listed status, but sadly I fear it's only future now will be demolition and consignment to another part of Blackburn's lost history. A very sad state of affairs.
Between shortsighted council policy, and the wreckless action of a small number of individuals, Blackburn is continues to be stripped bit by bit of it's Victorian Architecture. In architectural terms, this was a very unusual and unique building, one quite apart stylistically from much of the other Victorian Architecture in Blackburn. It had been left for far too long, and sadly, the only real a surprise is that this didn't happen sooner. This building should have been loaned out rent free for community purposes to allow it to be used and kept in at least a manageable condition. It was worthy of listed status, but sadly I fear it's only future now will be demolition and consignment to another part of Blackburn's lost history. A very sad state of affairs. Joseph O'M

9:51am Thu 20 Sep 12

soppygob says...

It's a presbytery, not a vicarage.
It's a presbytery, not a vicarage. soppygob

10:36am Thu 20 Sep 12

starfish1988 says...

Is nobody suspicious of the fact that on several occasions planning applications have been submitted requesting demolition of the presbytery in order to build a nursing home... ?? however there were bats living in the roof structure so the plans were refused!!! hmmmm
Is nobody suspicious of the fact that on several occasions planning applications have been submitted requesting demolition of the presbytery in order to build a nursing home... ?? however there were bats living in the roof structure so the plans were refused!!! hmmmm starfish1988

11:50am Thu 20 Sep 12

Joseph O'M says...

One of the initial reasons for refusal of planning permission for the demolition of this building and the construction of a new retirement home from the planning application stated the following: "In the view of the Local Planning Authority the proposal would likely lead to the direct loss of protected trees, damage to roots leading to the deterioration and premature death of protected trees, and future pressure to fell protected trees. It is considered that the loss of these trees would unduly harm the character and appearance of the area. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to the provisions of Policies HD8 and HD9 of the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Local Plan."

Absolutely no mention of the presbytery and the fact that as a huge Victorian building (probably the biggest in that area) it added some real character to that stretch of Livesey Branch Road. This seems to be the problem to me - the loss of trees (which are replaceable) is a bigger issue to the planners than the loss of an irreplaceable building.
One of the initial reasons for refusal of planning permission for the demolition of this building and the construction of a new retirement home from the planning application stated the following: "In the view of the Local Planning Authority the proposal would likely lead to the direct loss of protected trees, damage to roots leading to the deterioration and premature death of protected trees, and future pressure to fell protected trees. It is considered that the loss of these trees would unduly harm the character and appearance of the area. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to the provisions of Policies HD8 and HD9 of the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Local Plan." Absolutely no mention of the presbytery and the fact that as a huge Victorian building (probably the biggest in that area) it added some real character to that stretch of Livesey Branch Road. This seems to be the problem to me - the loss of trees (which are replaceable) is a bigger issue to the planners than the loss of an irreplaceable building. Joseph O'M

4:38pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Benjis mum says...

"Absolutely no mention of the presbytery and the fact that as a huge Victorian building (probably the biggest in that area) it added some real character to that stretch of Livesey Branch Road."

I dont know that particular building but I presume it would be a suitable site and size for a mosque, as a green dome would blend in nicely with the Victorian buildings in that area.

Blackburn is a bit short on mosques, especially now that Jack Straw has decided he no longer needs the muslim vote and has stopped them converting their own homes into official mosques to avoid paying council tax.
"Absolutely no mention of the presbytery and the fact that as a huge Victorian building (probably the biggest in that area) it added some real character to that stretch of Livesey Branch Road." I dont know that particular building but I presume it would be a suitable site and size for a mosque, as a green dome would blend in nicely with the Victorian buildings in that area. Blackburn is a bit short on mosques, especially now that Jack Straw has decided he no longer needs the muslim vote and has stopped them converting their own homes into official mosques to avoid paying council tax. Benjis mum

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