Fire chief warning over empty properties

Fire chief warning over empty properties

Rochdale's Borough Commander, Michael Barke, has made a plea to people not to enter any empty homes or properties under any circumstances following a serious incident last weekend (Saturday 6 September).

Two men had to be rescued from a derelict house on Entwisle Road following a fire at the property. The Fire and Rescue service had to carry the men down a ladder after they lost consciousness due to smoke inhilation. Another man escaped unaided but all three had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Borough Commander Barke said: “We work tirelessly with the local authority to ensure empty properties are secured to prevent such incidents, and the properties that were involved over the weekend were all secured correctly and are part of a renewal programme to improve the area for the local community.

"The people involved in this fire should not have been there and are very lucky not to have lost their lives. People need to be aware of the dangers in such properties; they are secured for a reason. Not only is there a risk to the public but also to my fire fighters who are entering a structurally unsafe burning building.

"It is not obvious to fire fighters that attend these incidents that somebody may be trapped inside and the result is that the next time someone enters an empty property the outcome may be more serious. I really do not want this to happen so please stay away from these buildings."

The serious nature of the incident was increased by the fact that the fire service had received a malicious prank phone call just before the fire broke out calling them to another part of town. The men in the house were fortunate that the firefighters could get to them in time.

Rochdale Fire Service's Community Liasion Officer Phil Greenwood said: "The empty houses on Entwisle Road were well secured, with metal shutters on all of the doors and windows, so the people entering them are forcing their way into the properties. While they might be able to get in, it is not so easy to get out if there is a fire."