Published Friday 29 September 2017 at 13:00
The Council is continuing its work to support the operation to deal with the ongoing fire at the privately owned former plastics building in Blackburn.
Throughout yesterday Ivy Street Community Centre was established as a rest centre for anybody who was affected by the fire. Police and Council officers went door-to-door in the surrounding area to give out information and advice.
Ivy Street Community Centre is now acting as a drop-in, providing information for residents, supported by volunteers and Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Neighbourhood services officers.
Residents were advised to evacuate their homes last night due to specialist contractors carrying out demolition work on the site, organised by the Council. All residents have now all been contacted and advised it’s safe to return.
The Council and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are responding to concerns around asbestos in the cement roof panelling.
The Council’s Environmental Protection Team are working with professionals including air quality experts, an asbestos analyst and the Environment Agency. Risk to health is low but advice remains for those in the area to keep windows and doors closed. Officers from the team will be going into the community today and speaking to residents direct.
The Council is also in contact with the liquidation company as this is a privately owned site. However, due to the complex nature of the incident and the inconvenience for residents, the decision was taken to commission the essential demolition work which will help the fire service tackle the fire.
It also has powers to ensure that the site is secured on this private property.
The Council has already started planning for a specialist clean-up operation as a precaution, which is likely to take place next week. We will be able to start this once the fire service indicate that it is safe to do so.