Owner describes remains of allotment as a 'bomb site' after Hartlepool blaze

The owner of a Hartlepool allotment has described its remains as being like a “bomb site” after it was destroyed in a fire.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Two fire appliances were deployed from Hartlepool to the allotment, along with one from Thornaby, at 6.45am on Saturday, July 30 after Cleveland Fire Brigade received a “high number of calls due to the large amount of black smoke in the area”.

Allotment owner Malcolm Horsely, 62, told the Mail: “I got a call from a friend at around 7.30am this morning to say there was a fire at the allotments and it looked like it was mine which was on fire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When I came down there was nothing left – it was like a bomb site. It’s really upsetting as I use the allotment with my granddaughter. I’ve had it for 25 years.”

Some livestock have also tragically been killed in the blaze.

Malcolm added: “We keep some chickens at the allotment. Some have survived but others have sadly died.”

A spokeswoman for the Fire Brigade described the allotments as having been “well alight” in a statement.

Read More
Hartlepool great-grandfather thanks ambulance service after wife's heart scare
Devastation at a Hartlepool allotment on Saturday, July 30 after a fire that morning.Devastation at a Hartlepool allotment on Saturday, July 30 after a fire that morning.
Devastation at a Hartlepool allotment on Saturday, July 30 after a fire that morning.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The allotments are located between Chester Road and Thornhill Gardens and people were warned by Cleveland Fire Brigade to avoid the area as crews worked to put the blaze out.

Two hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire.

Related topics: