IT could be days before staff are allowed into the burnt-out £10m councils’ building near Wallingford, according to council leaders.

The building in Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, is used by staff from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils.

But following the devastating blaze during the early hours of Thursday, up to 400 staff have being forced to work elsewhere.

A funeral parlour run by Howard Chadwick near the council office entrance and a thatched cottage in Rokemarsh also went up in flames shortly after 3am on Thursday.

Our top stories

Vale of White Horse District Council leader Matthew Barber said Abbey House, in Abingdon, which the Vale council rents to county council staff, was now a temporary home for displaced workers.

He said staff had hoped to be allowed back into the building yesterday but it was not possible after strong winds reignited embers in parts of the building on Thursday night.

Mr Barber said: “There are computers, phones and paperwork that we could salvage but we might not be allowed back in until next week.

“The structural engineers are worried about people going in.

“We had a meeting with loss adjusters from our insurers and have not yet come to any conclusion on whether we rebuild or keep parts of what is there – it’s too early to say.

“I have claimed on my car insurance before but never for a £10m building.

“We have had lots of offers of support from neighbouring local authorities, but for the time being we are accommodating everyone at Abbey House.”

Oxford Mail:

John

South Oxfordshire District Council leader John Cotton said he visited the council offices at Crowmarsh yesterday and saw police forensic investigators conducting tests on the burnt-out car which was driven into the council’s reception area.

He added: “The council chamber is one part of the building which is not particularly badly damaged but it’s a call for the insurers as to what is the best course of action – demolition or rebuilding.

“The fire reigniting put paid to us going in yesterday and firefighters are now taking a much more cautious line.

“Safety of staff is paramount and the building is also being tested for asbestos.

“About 150 staff at the moment have been transferred to Abbey House, with others working from home.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Furlong said firefighters spent over two hours on Thursday night tackling hotspots after embers reignited.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood said: “The whole community is very thankful for the fire service and all of their great work.”

SODC Unison branch secretary Clare Merritt said a Facebook page has been created at Facebook.com/unisonridgeway to help staff to stay in touch with the union and with each other as the councils’ websites were still down.

PRAISE FOR 999 CREWS' RESPONSE CROWMARSH

Gifford resident Nicholas Treadaway was in bed just 200 metres away from the councils’ headquarters when it was set ablaze.

The offices of Chadwick Howard Funeral Service next door to the councils’ building were also targeted in the arson attack.

The 74-year-old praised the emergency services for their response after Thursday morning’s attack on the offices in Benson Lane. Mr Treadaway, who lives at the top of the street, said: “My wife woke me up at 3am and told me there was a police car outside blocking the road off.

“Within 10 minutes or so it had moved and five or 10 fire engines came within 10 minutes. It was all very dramatic.”

Mr Treadaway said he managed to get back to sleep before being woken up by more activity outside.

He said: “I know the undertaker at Chadwick Howard quite well and I spoke to him afterwards. He was looking grey and terrible and he told me what happened.

“The emergency services were fantastic.

“We were able to stay in the house and they kept the traffic flowing.

“The amazing thing was seeing Crowmarsh Gifford on the television.

“We have had our day of drama.”

VILLAGERS STILL STUNNED, SAYS NEWSAGENT

A SHOPKEEPER said the communtiy in Crowmarsh Gifford was in shock following the arson attacks in the village and neighbouring Rokemarsh.
Jackie Ham – who owns Crowmarsh Store – said she could not believe anything like this could happen in her village.
Mrs Ham said: “It was really scary. I heard the sirens just after 3am and was wondering what was going on.
“Then all the traffic came and we found out what had happened.
“I had to rely on feedback as I was stuck in the shop all day. The smoke was not coming in this direction so at the time I had no idea what was going on.”
The disaster has badly affected the services South Oxfordshire District Council provide, but despite their offices being gutted by the blaze, the local authority still managed to empty the bins of residents.
Mrs Ham added: “Everyone is in a state of shock, everyone is talking about it.
“I’ve had customers coming into the shop and that’s all they are discussing. It is really the talk of our village.”

TIMELINE

Oxford Mail:

An aerial view

  • Thursday, 3.11am: Thatched cottage alight in Rokemarsh. 80-year-old Jean Gladstone escapes fire
  •  3.20am: Reports that Howard Chadwick Funeral Service in Crowmarsh Gifford is alight
  • 3.20am: Blaze at Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils’ HQ in Crowmarsh Gifford after car is driven into the reception
  • 6.30am: Homes in Rokemarsh evacuated and 30 residents taken to safety of the village hall
  • 2pm: In a press conference, police announce that a 47-year-old man from Wallingford had been arrested on suspicion of arson s 8pm: High winds reignite the flames at the councils’ offices. Firefighhters remain at the scene through the night

Oxford Mail:

Howard Chadwick Funeral Service

 

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.