MAJOR BLAZE STRIKES WIMBORNE'S TOWN CENTRE (From Bournemouth Echo)

MAJOR BLAZE STRIKES WIMBORNE'S TOWN CENTRE

8:25am Monday 6th July 2009 in

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ONE of Wimborne’s most historic buildings, the Priest’s House Museum, narrowly escaped going up in flames in a major blaze in the town centre on Saturday.

Around 90 firefighters spent more than seven hours battling a fire which swept through a terrace of shops next to the grade II listed Priest’s House Museum.

Firefighters were called out at 2.36am after smoke was seen coming from the terrace of buildings.

A fire crew from Wimborne arrived to find 30ft high flames and smoke billowing from the first floor and roof space.

The Albion, which is the oldest pub in Wimborne, Thomas Cook travel agency, Saville Travel and Martin’s newsagents were all damaged.

Around half a dozen people were evacuated from flats above shops in the building and from the Albion pub.

Crews from across Dorset fought the fire.

Initially it was feared that part of the historic building would have to be pulled down but later experts said they believe it can be saved.

Speaking at the scene on Saturday, station manager Neil Rickett said that around 50 per cent of the building had been “severely damaged by fire”.

He said: “The fire was probably under control within about three hours and since then we have been damping and cutting away taking away tiles and burnt bits of timber.

“It was very difficult to fight the fire. There was the danger the building could collapse so we had to be careful.

“We are not sure yet of the cause and are still investigating. We are not even sure where it started.”

Wimborne town centre was closed and re-opened at about 8am with just the affected shops cordoned off to the public. The power supply to many shops in the town centre was cut off for much of Saturday.

Malcolm Angel, chairman of Wimborne and District Chamber of Trade, described the fire as “tragic”. He added: “We are working on projects right now to improve the town centre. This is a real setback for Wimborne.”

Paula Barker, manager of Thomas Cook, said that she was alerted by a call from a colleague at 8.25am on Saturday.

“All the staff pretty much turned up at the same time for work. It’s really bad. There is water damage downstairs and we couldn’t even open the door. It’s upsetting because that’s our livelihood.”

Marjorie Lowe, manager of Wimborne Post Office inside Martin’s newsagents, said: “My colleague phoned me at 6.45am to tell me but I didn’t get here until 7.45am. It was quite a shock.”

Malcolm Budden, granddad of two, who owns the shop building next door, said: “I have got tenants in the flats above and was concerned for their safety. It’s the worst thing to happen in Wimborne for a long time.”

Adam Butler, 20, supervisor at Martin’s, said when he arrived at around 3.30am the roof of the building was ablaze.

Former mayor of Wimborne Anthony Oliver, who was one of the first on the scene, said: “There were so many fire engines and a scene of devastation with flames rising from the roof.

“The fire crews did a splendid job containing the fire, which was next-door to the Priests House Museum.”

James Webb, the assistant curator at the museum, was among those who turned up to view the damage on Saturday morning.

He said: “We are delighted that the museum, which is partly of 16 century origin, has been saved because it houses so many very valuable and irreplaceable items.”