Derelict pub boarded up for 'public safety' after it was set on fire

A pub in Atherton that went up in flames last week in a ‘deliberate act’ has been boarded up by the council after it was deemed hazardous. The Masons Arms was set alight on August 29 in what Greater Manchester Police believe was a ‘deliberate act’.

The pub, which was derelict before the fire, was visited by Wigan Council recently who decided it was ‘hazardous’ and had open access. This meant it needed to be boarded up and secured to ‘keep the public safe’.

David Proctor, assistant director – planning and regeneration at Wigan Council, said: “Our building control team visited the premises on September 1 and identified that the building was open to access.

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“During the inspection, potential hazards were identified and, following an unsuccessful attempt to make contact with the property’s owners, the council acted to board up the property to restrict potential access and keep the public safe.”

No arrests have been made by police since the incident on Wigan Road and they are urging anyone with information to come forward. A GMP spokesman said: “We do believe this was deliberately started but no arrests have been made.

“Anyone with information should contact us quoting incident 2706 of 29/08/2022.”

The blaze itself was attended by three fire engines. It took around 45 minutes for firefighters to deal with the incident.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "At around 6.30pm on Monday August 29 firefighters were called to reports of a fire involving the first floor of a derelict pub on Wigan Road in Atherton. Three fire engines from Leigh, Hindley and Atherton fire stations quickly