Community spirit praised after Mirfield garage fire

Jun 15 2010 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

EVACUEES were back in their homes today as investigations continued into what caused a garage fire in Mirfield.

Residents within a 200m radius of the blaze at Savile Place were ordered to leave their properties on Sunday afternoon.

There was concern that householders in about 200 houses were at risk because of potentially explosive acetylene cylinders on the site.

Firefighters stopped the fire spreading and averted any potential threat by using jets to cool the cylinders.

The safety cordon that had been in place since the evacuation was lifted at 7pm last night.

Steve Fealey, Kirklees assistant district manager for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We have not been able to get close enough to the fire, so far, to determine whether it was deliberate or not.

“Fire investigation officers will be working with the police to find out what caused it.”

Up to 30 firefighters from Mirfield, Batley and Dewsbury were involved in battling the blaze at its height.

Ten rooms were provided at Leeds Road Travelodge for people with nowhere to stay.

Kirklees Council’s emergency planning team also set up rest centres at Mirfield Sports Centre and Knowle Park House residential care home.

But Mr Fealey said most people stayed with friends and family.

“I’ve been really impressed by the way the community rallied around and looked after each other,” he said.

“The response to the emergency services was fantastic and I’d like to thank them for that.”

The Shoulder of Mutton pub, at Lee Green, near Savile Place, was one of the properties affected by the evacuation.