Flames leap high above the roof of the Taste of India. (Picture by Jonathan Garrit, 0554191)
A DERELICT cottage in Burnt Lane was destroyed by fire yesterday – and children were quickly blamed. Firefighters were called at 5.29pm and watch commander, Matthew Roger said the two-storey property, Albion Cottage, was burning strongly when they arrived.
‘Our priority has been to extinguish the fire and mitigate the effects to its surroundings,’ he said. ‘We are concerned about the integrity of the structure which is why we are defensive firefighting from the outside.’
Chris Blin is a director of the company that owns the cottage. Mr Blin, who lives next door to the gutted building, blames children for the blaze. ‘I’m 90% sure that it’s been caused by kids who seem to go in it constantly,’ he said.
He said neighbours often reported seeing children entering the building and he had seen them do so many times himself.
‘It’s derelict and the value is purely in the land, but now they’ll have to find somewhere else to go,’ he said.
‘The issue I have now is making sure that the site is safe and secure.’
Smoke could be seen billowing over much of Town at the height of the blaze.
Bridget Macrae was upstairs at her home at Domaine de Beauport, Hauteville, when she spotted smoke billowing across the skyline.
‘I just happened to glance out of the window and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
‘There seemed to be smoke everywhere and the flames were very fierce.
‘I carried on watching and then saw the roof just suddenly collapse. It all happened really quickly.’
Article posted on 24th March, 2008 - 9.30am
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