Highbridge News
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Blazing row sparked by hotel fire
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| Firefighters tackle the hotel blaze |
A BLAZING row has been sparked by claims better security could have prevented last week's devastating fire at the former Highbridge Hotel.
Hotel owner Derek Mead has angrily rejected claims from a leading councillor that he did not act on security warnings following previous, smaller fires and break-ins.
Our website, www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk, gave readers up-to-the-minute news on the huge blaze which tore into the 250-year-old listed building last Tuesday.
Firefighters were still unable to enter the building as the Weekly News went to press yesterday (Tuesday) because it is so unstable, but they believe the blaze was deliberate.
Cllr Joe Leach, the new leader of the LibDems on Sedgemoor District Council, said: "The security provision was terrible. I believe if there was adequate security then the fire would not have happened.
"There have been several fires there, he was warned about it several times, and nothing was done.
"Kids have said to me in person that they have been having a field day in there, drinking alcohol.
"There should have been metal fences around the building for starters."
Cllr Leach has now called a public meeting tomorrow (Thursday), inviting residents, the police and Derek Mead to discuss the future of the hotel site at the Highbridge Community Centre from 5.30-7.30pm.
Mr Mead, head of developers The Mead Group, has already pledged to rebuild the ravaged hotel (see inside).
He strongly rejected the suggestion it was not properly secured and told the Weekly News: "It's absolute rubbish - there was a metal fence up the front and back of the building before the fire.
"We had chipboard cut to the size of the windows and the screw heads were filled with glue. "The place was very adequately protected."
Mr Mead claimed he was being treated as a scapegoat following the fire.
He said: "They are using me as a scapegoat for the councillors not sorting things out.
"If Mr Leach would like to have a go and stop kids that are beyond the law going into the building - I'd like to see him do it."
8:23am Wednesday 30th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Chris Langford, Highbridge on 2:23pm Thu 1 May 08
Having read Mr Meads comments, he is completely deluding himself if he thinks the gen public will accept that he had properly secured that building. A public enquiry should be called for.
Having read Mr Meads comments, he is completely deluding himself if he thinks the gen public will accept that he had properly secured that building. A public enquiry should be called for.
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