Asbestos "fortunately" removed before shed blaze

Wednesday 19 September 2018

Carcinogenic asbestos was "fortunately" removed from a Trinity shed just weeks before it went up in flames, causing the roof to collapse.

A 999 call at around 06:00 this morning alerted the Fire Service to the property blaze and two fire engines headed to Trinity to put it out.

Pictured: Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze. (Jersey Fire & Rescue Service)

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the old outbuilding early this morning and successfully extinguished the fire.

Pictured: The Fire Service were alerted to the property fire by a 999 call early this morning. (Jersey Fire & Rescue Service)

There were initial concerns that the building contained asbestos due to its age, but Fire Service officials said that it had "fortunately" all been recently removed from the site.

Asbestos is a hazardous substance linked with several types of cancer, including mesothelioma, which has no cure. Had it still been there, the safety of firefighters and neighbours could have been put at risk.