Latest news with #RachelMaclean
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Stay inside warning after fire in derelict building
People were told to stay inside after a fire broke out at a derelict commercial building in Burnley. Eight fire crews were called to the incident, where they used a drone unit to tackle the fire, on Holmes Street at around 14:30 BST on Saturday, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said. There are no reports of any injuries, but resident Rachel Maclean told the BBC that Aldi, next to the building, was evacuated. Expressing concern about the incident, Ms Maclean said: "There are kids in and out (of the derelict building) all the time and local homeless people do stay in there." Ms Maclean said that her family were advised to stay indoors. The cause of the fire is under investigation. In a video shared on social media, Liam Wilson, group manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We've worked tremendously hard over the afternoon, firstly, doing the firefighting operation but also working with partners to minimise the impact to the local community and the surrounding buildings and premises." He said they were "extremely grateful for the support of the community". A LFRS spokesperson said that, by 21:00 BST on Saturday, six fire crews and the aerial appliances remained. They said four crews remained on scene on Sunday, with Oxford Road and Holmes Street remaining closed to vehicles throughout the day. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Stay inside warning after fire in derelict building
People were told to stay inside after a fire broke out at a derelict commercial building in Burnley. Eight fire crews were called to the incident, where they used a drone unit to tackle the fire, on Holmes Street at around 14:30 BST on Saturday, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said. There are no reports of any injuries, but resident Rachel Maclean told the BBC that Aldi, next to the building, was evacuated. Expressing concern about the incident, Ms Maclean said: "There are kids in and out (of the derelict building) all the time and local homeless people do stay in there." Ms Maclean said that her family were advised to stay indoors. The cause of the fire is under investigation. In a video shared on social media, Liam Wilson, group manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We've worked tremendously hard over the afternoon, firstly, doing the firefighting operation but also working with partners to minimise the impact to the local community and the surrounding buildings and premises." He said they were "extremely grateful for the support of the community". A LFRS spokesperson said that, by 21:00 BST on Saturday, six fire crews and the aerial appliances remained. They said four crews remained on scene on Sunday, with Oxford Road and Holmes Street remaining closed to vehicles throughout the day. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
People told to stay inside after fire in Burnley building
People were told to stay inside after a fire broke out at a derelict commercial building in fire crews were called to the incident, where they used a drone unit to tackle the fire, on Holmes Street at around 14:30 BST on Saturday, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) are no reports of any injuries, but resident Rachel Maclean told the BBC that Aldi, next to the building, was evacuated. Expressing concern about the incident, Ms Maclean said: "There are kids in and out (of the derelict building) all the time and local homeless people do stay in there." Ms Maclean said that her family were advised to stay cause of the fire is under a video shared on social media, Liam Wilson, group manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We've worked tremendously hard over the afternoon, firstly, doing the firefighting operation but also working with partners to minimise the impact to the local community and the surrounding buildings and premises."He said they were "extremely grateful for the support of the community".A LFRS spokesperson said that, by 21:00 BST on Saturday, six fire crews and the aerial appliances remained. They said four crews remained on scene on Sunday, with Oxford Road and Holmes Street remaining closed to vehicles throughout the day. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The ‘Tumbleweed Tories' don't appear to be gripping the local elections
There is a certain mordant symbolism in the recent absence of the Conservative Party's head of strategy in the run up to this week's critical elections in England. Rachel Maclean has been away on holiday in the Himalayas even as her colleagues fret over the ramifications of an expected breakthrough by Reform and the continued threat from the Liberal Democrats. Nigel Farage's party is expected to secure the largest proportion of the vote locally and win the by-election for the parliamentary seat of Runcorn and Helsby. The Lib Dems are hoping to take control of a swathe of councils in the Home Counties and the South West. For Lady Maclean to take a holiday at such a time seems astonishing though it may be said there was not much she could do to influence the outcome. The fact she has been in the Himalayas invites comments about mountains to climb but also suggests a lack of seriousness at the top of the party's organisation which Kemi Badenoch has been so anxious to shake up and professionalise. Their opponents voice their astonishment at the hollowing out of the once great Tory party political machine. The loss of so many MPs and councillors and an exodus of members has made door-to-door campaigning harder. Lib Dems refer derisively to what they call 'the tumbleweed Tories' who have given up trying in so-called 'red wall' areas that have become a Labour-Reform fight. This Thursday will undoubtedly be difficult for the Tories and for Labour, too. While incumbent governments are used to losing by-elections Runcorn is one of its safest seats and defeat will confirm suspicions that their general election victory last July was superficial and shallow.
