Chair of Authority Voices Concern Over Former Kirklees College Fires

Wednesday, 2 November 2016 07:00

Concerns have been raised after a series of fires at the site of the old Kirklees College in Huddersfield.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has attended a number of serious fires at the site of the old Kirklees College in Huddersfield in the last week. Concerns are being raised over the significant consequences these fires could have on the surrounding area and the on-going risk to firefighters who have to deal with the aftermath.

The Fire Service and other partners have been in talks with the college’s Senior Management Team. The Fire Service welcomes their efforts to improve security around the empty site in an attempt to prevent unauthorised, and illegal, entry and the setting of fires. The Service is aware that extra security measures were put in place on Monday 31 October 2016, and since then there have been no further incidents.

Chair of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority Councillor Judith Hughes said:

“As Chair of the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority it is with increasing concern that I note the occurrence of a number of serious fires in the last week at the site of the Old Kirklees College.”

“The increased operational activity in the run up to bonfire night means that vital, lifesaving, resources are being utilised on this site for hours on end when they could be more effectively used elsewhere. I call upon those responsible for the site to take immediate and decisive action to control this problem”

Councillor Masood Ahmed, Chair of the Kirklees Community Safety Partnership, added:

“As Chair of the Kirklees Community Safety Partnership I have been briefed on the number of significant fires that have occurred recently in some of the buildings which comprise the old Kirklees College. I have significant concerns for the safety of the local community and those that have to respond to these incidents if this sequence of fires is not halted immediately.”

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