Latest news with #CambridgeStreet
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Manchester fire: Evacuated students worry over rising hotel bills
Worried students who were evacuated from their city-centre apartments following a huge fire at a neighbouring building said they still did not know when they will be allowed to of two blocks were told to leave their flats on Monday after the disused Hotspur Press building in Manchester city centre was engulfed in Guo, a student from China, said he could not afford to stay in a hotel for very long, adding: "We're unsure where we're going next because the price is rising."Manchester City Council said it was trying to help but pointed out it did not have any statutory responsibility to rehome people living in privately rented accommodation. 'Very challenging' The authority said the responsibility lay with the building's manager and others.A council spokesperson said it was liaising with them to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities to Guo said the council "helped us through this very challenging situation and we appreciate that. We're unsure what will happen next."Hotspur House, a 225-year-old former printing press and mill on Cambridge Street, close to Manchester Oxford Road railway station, partially collapsed following the building was destroyed after strong winds whipped up the flames, causing the blaze to spread rapidly throughout the building's wooden internal firefighters battled to get the blaze under control, embers reached 1 Cambridge Street, resulting in the blocks' evacuation. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Terrifying' moment Hotspur Press fire spread to student flats
A man visiting his daughter at her student flat spoke of the "terrifying" moment fire spread to her block from a fire in a derelict building across the road. Hotspur House, a 225-year-old former printing press and mill, was destroyed when wind whipped up the flames, causing the blaze to spread rapidly throughout the building's wooden internal structure. As firefighters battled to get the fire under control on Monday afternoon, wind carried burning embers onto neighbouring tower blocks. Abdullah Alumair was in his daughter Shuaa's flat in Block B of 1 Cambridge Street when what appeared to be a sudden fog descended outside, shortly after 16:00 BST. "I opened the window, immediately I start smelling the smoke and I found it's definitely a fire nearby," he told the BBC. He said he and his wife and daughter left the building and stood on the street outside where they saw the Hotspur Press, which has been empty since 1996, well-alight. He said: "After about half an hour things become very serious, the flame broke like hell. "The police start clearing the area, fencing the area, and it was windy."It was a terrifying moment when we noticed the fire start catching our building because of the wind carrying the dust or whatever."He said he saw a balcony on the building catch fire. Mr Alumair and his family were among more than 100 people given temporary accommodation on Monday night. Ben Levy, area manager for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, said investigations into the cause of the blaze were at an early stage. When asked if there had been any signs of foul play so far such as accelerants, he said it was too early to say. But he added: "My experience is you would not need accelerant in a building like this which is so old, so dry... it's internal construction is wood. "On a dry afternoon with a bit of wind it will burn well, sadly. "It's another iconic and historic building... it's a sad day for Manchester where buildings like this are lost, potentially."Mr Levy said there had been concerns about asbestos and toxic fumes being released, but he said tests had revealed nothing of significant concern and said there was "very minimal" risk to the public beyond the site of the blaze. There had been no reports of any injuries, he added. Block A of the 1 Cambridge Street building is still being assessed and residents have not been permitted to return yet, Mr Levy confirmed. On Tuesday evening the building's concierge team said the fire service would alow temporary access for people to collect their belongings. Student rental business owner Nikolas Savva said he helped put up about 17 people in properties nearby. He said "everything was very smooth" and praised staff at the Holiday Inn hotel on Oxford Road, where some residents from the evacuated building were sent. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Manchester Oxford Road train delays after Hotspur Press fire
Disruption to rail services and road travel is continuing after a landmark Manchester city centre building was destroyed by a major Hotspur Press building on Cambridge Street, close to Manchester Oxford Road railway station, was gutted by the blaze on Monday, leading to its partial resulted in the cancellation of all rail services through Manchester Oxford Road station rail lines have since reopened, National Rail said "residual" disruption was expected until 09:30 BST. Some roads in the surrounding area are also closed off. More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Hotspur Press building left a smoking ruin after major Manchester fire
A building on the site of what was believed to be Manchester's oldest mill is now a smouldering ruin after a major Hotspur Press building on Cambridge Street, close to Manchester Oxford Road railway station, was destroyed by a fire on Monday, leading to its partial collapse. The Victorian structure had fallen into a dilapidated state since the printing press closed down in 1996, and stood in contrast with some of the modern city blocks surrounding it. However, despite a number of delays, it had been earmarked for a major development scheme. Opened in the 1800s on the banks of the River Medlock, the building started life as a cotton mill, known as Medlock Mill. It was later repurposed as a printing press in 1902, and remained in business for 94 years. After years of failed attempts to redevelop the site, London-based developer Manner took on the building in 2020, and began working on new plans. Last May, the firm was given planning permission from Manchester City Council to turn the building into a 37 storey, 595 bed block of student flats. But the scheme was delayed after Manner twice changed its designs, and earlier this month said it was planning to submit fresh proposals to the council. The firm had vowed to "draw on the historical roots of the site" for the project, which would have involved some of the original building being demolished. While the original application for planning permission was granted, it attracted opposition from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) over the lack of affordable units. MMU had told councillors it had concerns that less than 20% of units would have been available at a discounted rent and also "the predominance of studio units which are less affordable than cluster units". But in a report to the planning committee, council officials also wrote it was estimated the development would add £3.6m to the local economy. The report, in May 2024, added: "This proposal would redevelop a derelict and vacant, low quality brownfield site close to the Oxford Road Corridor." The proposed student tower was initially intended to be clad in redbrick panels, but that was changed earlier this year to be anodised metal, appearing to be had since revised its plans for the building to include a bronze finish on the firm denied the change was related to its profit margins, with Manner boss Richard James telling the BBC in June that the firm "wanted to listen and take on board feedback".Manner has confirmed it is aware of the fire but has yet to comment further. GMFRS said on Monday evening it had deployed 20 fire engines to the fire, including two aerial units. It said the fire spread to a neighbouring apartment building,1 Cambridge Street, which was evacuated. An investigation into the cause of the fire was expected to begin on Tuesday. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
RNZ News
21-06-2025
- RNZ News
Levin fire: Man charged with arson
Police wanted to hear from anyone who might have more information or CCTV footage. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon A man has been arrested following a suspicious house fire in Levin. The Cambridge Street blaze was reported just after 4am on Saturday. The occupants escaped without injury. Police later said a 40-year-old man had been taken into custody, and will appear in Palmerston North District Court on Monday charged with arson. They wanted to hear from anyone who might have more information or CCTV footage. "Part of our enquiries also include the movements of a red Suzuki Swift in the area at the time," Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross said. Police said to call 105 or go online and quote file number 250621/8961. The fire was one of several across the country overnight , including one fatal in Marton. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
