Historic mill gutted in blaze (with video)
THE former owner of an historic factory on the banks of the River Derwent spoke of his heartbreak as he watched it ripped apart by fire.
Warwick Harwood sold Bath Street Mill two years ago and was one of more than 100 who yesterday watched huge flames tear through the 150-year-old building.
Thick plumes of smoke from the fire, which began at 2.30pm, rose hundreds of feet in the air and could be seen from the M1.
As roaring flames shattered windows and tore holes in the tiled roof, hot ash rained down, causing some people watching to flee the scene.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. An investigation began today.
Mr Harwood, whose wedding reception was held on the mill's top floor, used the building as a base for his furniture business before selling it to a Nottingham developer.
The 42-year-old stood and watched with three of his children as 50 firefighters tackled the blaze.
He said: "I sold it two years ago and it's been standing empty ever since. I've been saying all along that, if something wasn't done with it, it would either fall down or it would burn down.
"There is a lot of my life in that building and I have some very happy memories.
"It was a very beautiful building and it's heartbreaking to watch it burn down."
Mr Harwood bought the factory, part of Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, after taking over Trio Contract Furnishers, a business started by his father 44 years ago.
He said: "At the height of the furniture business, we employed nearly 50 people and I think a lot of them would be very sad to see it burn down."
Scores of spectators flocked to streets near the factory and crowds gathered on a green off Darley Grove.
Lee Antrich, of Spinney Hill, Melbourne, rushed to Bath Street after spotting clouds of smoke from the city centre.
The 28-year-old said: "It was really dramatic and people were jumping whenever there was a bang or a crash.
"Some people were standing really close to the fence next to the factory but police cordoned the area off quite quickly."
Danielle Copper, 18, of nearby Otter Street, said: "I was standing at the edge of a path near the factory and it was baking hot.
"People were taking photos and videos of the fire until the ash starting pouring down on them."
Four fire crews from stations across the city were first at the scene but needed to call for back-up when the fire was at its height and they could not handle it alone.
Kam Basi, area manager for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The factory went up like a bonfire and beams were dropping from the roof – it was very difficult to fight.
"Much of the interior of the building featured wood more than 100 years old.
"At first, we were going to attack the fire by entering the building, but the water pressure in the area was not strong enough. We decided to focus water jets on it from the outside.
"The building has been totally lost with 100% fire damage."
9 Comments
View all
by kimberly, norminton
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 12:47PM
“i Was there and what a shame it was... the fire was horrid and its been a part of derb and with it being a mistake or not i hope the people who have done this are caught .
when i was there i was scared and when the gas pipes started to pop i just ran ... i really hope that noone got hurt with the blaze of the fire”
by mick, Chester Green
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 12:12PM
“Yeah just another sad story to add to Derby's declining rich industrial past.
Any old building having any historic interest if left vacated for any length of time is in danger of being destroyed by planners, developers or fire.
The Aida Bliss Building in city Road has survived three attacks, one by planners and two by fire, will it survive another?
These old buildings where once new,built to last , not just thrown up,and provided employment for thousands of people in and around the Town of Derby.
The City should respect this,(forget the big ideas)
and with careful thought and lateral thinking, transform these areas to benefit the local communities around them, instead of destabilising them, Mick Mellor, Chester Green.”
by mick, United Kingdom
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 11:47AM
“Yeah, just another sad story in Derby's rich industrial History.
All of Derbys Old Historic Buildings if left vacated long enough are either under threat of demolition by fire or developers.
The Aida Bliss building in City road has survived two attacks in as many years, will it survive a third?
These old buildings that have served the people of Derby well should not be left in a state of disrepair and with some lateral thinking they could be transformed and utilised for the next 50 years at least! Mick Mellor, Chester Green.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 11:18AM
“Chris- you are so right!
If only the developers/movers and shakers in the city actually realised the importance if this issue! Derby is in danger of losing its historic core.
Ironically- that is what has attracted many visitors- Derby's character and beautiful architecture.Fast disappearing.”
by Christopher, Derby
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 11:09AM
“The Jury's Hotel has blighted the World Heritage site around the Silk Mill, now this building has been destroyed, no doubt to the delight of some of our regular anti history/heritage bloggers. Maybe it is time for Derby to lose its world heritage status? the sites north of Derby are all in tact, along with unspoiled views of Arkwright's mills and Belper's East Mill. Maybe Duffield would be the best place to start the World Heritage Site? Unless of course the Bath Street site could be rebuilt and some major alterations made to the hotel so that its stark featureless exterior has less impact on the area (though I cannot see any way around fixing this), then Derby may be eligible for World Heritage status again.
But when you think about the current trend towards what is considered by those in control as "regeneration" the loss of yet another historic building will be viewed as a step forward, bringing Derby a step closer to being "just another Midland city" with its generic shopping centres and an abundance of multi storey car parks.”