Hopes Carr 06.08.06
Allen was the first to upload
photo's of the fire to the Net
on Sunday and this blog
reported on them shortly after.
Stockport Fire Station Watch Commander Dave Prince said: "It was a large fire and proved particularly hard to tackle. It was built into a bank so access at the back was very difficult and about 40m sq burnt away in the end.
"However, we did manage to bring the fire under control and saved two businesses which are still operating at the site."
Council building inspectors have since visited the scene and declared parts of the building unsafe.
"There has been substantial damage to one of the buildings at the site which will require demolition work to make it safe.
"We have met with the owners of the building and security officers have been placed at the premises."
However, plans to demolish all the remaining buildings at the former 19th century industrial site are currently in the pipe line.
Stockport Council has been working with property developers Seddon Construction on a £70m regeneration project for the area, which is scheduled to start in the near future.
Paul Maher
[Click the image below for the full story in the Stockport Express. To see photos by the roving heritage photographer, Allen Gleave, click here.]
