Maple Mill 'war zone'

HOTSPOT . . . Maple Mill

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SHOCKED witnesses have described how children risked their lives when they climbed one of the last remaining structures of a demolished mill for a better view of a fire below.

The drama unfolded when firefighters were alerted to Maple Mill in Hathershaw after scrapped cars had been set alight. But Yvonne Morton (57), who witnessed the blaze from near her home on Dowry Street with other residents, revealed their horror when they saw around half-a-dozen kids had scrambled up to the top ledge.

She said everyone looked on in shock as the children, aged around 12 to 13, sat atop the six-storey high structure with their feet dangling over the side as they watched the devastation below. Yvonne described the area as a war zone as petrol tanks exploded.

When police attended the scene the children fled.

Yvonne said: "There is a really big part of the building, one of the main parts still standing, which children had climbed up to and were sitting on, looking down on the car fires. They were there just dangling their feet. They climbed up on to the building, they only need to slip and they are dead. You always see them gather at the corner when something is happening, but this is taking it to another level.

"You don't give it a thought when you're a child."

While this is the first time it is believed youngsters have made their way to the top of the building, there is a fear it will not be the last.

The site, which was mostly demolished after a huge fire in December, belongs to businessman Vance Miller, who is believed to be in China or South-East Asia and is wanted by authorities here.

Although the land is privately owned, Yvonne urged Oldham Council to deal with the mill which has become a hotspot for fires and fly-tipping.

She argued: "What cost can you put on a child's life? It is just a matter of time before someone gets hurt on that mill.

"You could hear the petrol tanks going up, it was like being in a war zone. We have had these sorts of incidents for several years even before the cars were set on fire.

"That area has been turned into a dumping ground."

The council are now taking measures to demolish the remaining structures and have urged parents to keep their children away from the site after the incident on Wednesday at 9pm.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "Oldham Council has been continually involved in the operation to make Maple Mill safe since the huge fire last year.

"Our officers visited the site and we intend to instigate formal action to secure the demolition of the remaining structures which present a risk.

"We would urge parents to keep their children away from the site as they are putting themselves at risk."