Fire sends asbestos debris over residential area

Date published: 23 May 2008

Rochdale Fire Brigade had to deal with yet another fire at garages behind Woodstock Street last night (Thursday 22 May). Vandals had set fire to a garage resulting in a blaze that destroyed the contents and the roof, which was made of asbestos, exploded sending the asbestos in all directions.

The fire was quickly brought under control, but firemen spent the rest of the evening dampening down the area.

These garages have been the target of vandalism and theft many times over the past year to the annoyance of local residents.

A local resident said: "There is a 'For Sale' or 'To Let' sign on the garages but when you call the number nobody ever gets back to you.

"The area needs to be cleaned up and the asbestos roofs of these garages removed to eliminate danger to the people who live in the area."