Breightmet Labour Club blaze was arson

8:36am Saturday 15th March 2008

THE blaze which destroyed Breightmet Labour Club was started delibrately, fire chiefs confirmed today.

A search for bodies among debris from the building has been called off.

Contractors demolished what was left of the club, on Milnthorpe Road, yesterday.

The site will be secured and security guards will man the site over the weekend.

Breightmet Labour Club was razed to the ground on Wednesday evening.

Following reports it was being used as a shelter by homeless people, a search for bodies started in the morning,but ended last night.

Ian Holt of Greater Manchester Fire Service said: "A search has been carried out inside the building and no one was found inside.

"Investigations have revealed the fire was started delibeately."

He said firefighters would remain on the scene all weekend as there were still small pockets of fire among the debris.

What was left of the building was demolished yesterday.

The blaze which destroyed the building was the 15th to break out in the club. Many of the fires had been thought to have been deliberately started by youths.

Chairman of Bolton Council's planning and highways committee Sean Hornby said: " Since the Labour Club was sold over 12 months ago the building has become a magnet for youths who have set fire to it on numerous occasions, broken into it and used it as a drug den. As it has already been reported the fire service has attended the site 15 times."

"Residents nearby have had to put up with this decaying building which has been totally neglected ever since it was sold, they deserve better.

"I only hope that from this comes a reasonable development which would enhance this part of Breightmet which will compliment the investment nearby with the new health centre which is being built."