A joint police and fire investigation into a derelict building fire on Heanor Road in Ilkeston has concluded the most probable cause to be deliberate. Investigators believe the fire most likely started when a naked flame came into contact with combustible materials.
Derbyshire firefighters were mobilised to the incident at 4.46am on Wednesday, June 10. Crews attended from Ilkeston, Ascot Drive, Long Eaton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, with support from Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Eastwood, Stockhill and Stapleford stations.
On arrival, crews found a fire on the fourth floor of the building, as well as the roof space. They were unable to enter until it was deemed structurally safe.
Supported by an aerial ladder platform, firefighters used hose reel and main line jets at height to get the fire under control and damp down hot spots.
Once it was safe to do so, crews carried out a sweep of the building to check if anyone was inside. Final fire crews left the scene at 3.08pm.
No one was inside the building at the time of the incident. The fire has caused significant damage to the roof area and top floors.
Anyone with any information about how it may have started is asked to contact Derbyshire Constabulary, quoting reference number 26000336617:
Facebook – send a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
Twitter – direct message the force’s contact centre on @DerPolContact
Website – complete the online contact form: https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/
Phone – call 101
You can also anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
1. Ilkeston fire
An investigation found that the blaze was started deliberately. Photo: DFRS
