My spies on the seedy north side of the island tell me that Margate has gone up in flames yet again. Firefighters were called to the Arcadian on Fart Hill to tackle a blaze this morning. Apparently their progress was impeded somewhat by the seemingly interminable roadworks along there as part of the crazy, pointless, multi-million pound de-dualling scheme.The Arcadian looked to be in a sorry state anyway - just about ripe for an earner burner if you ask me. I'm told it was originally a photographer's studio in Victorian times. With the loss earlier this year of Ramsgate's Marina Restaurant, also a former Victorian photographic studio, the chances of cashing in on our marvellous, seaside heritage seem slimmer by the day.
Update: It now transpires this was a rubbish fire round the back of the building, so apologies for the, er, rubbish report. Click here to read full story in the Thanet Times.
10 comments:
Shame they don't burn down that hotel-sized home for pigeons next door...
thought the fires would cease with the price of fuel going through the (charred)roof.. amazing what you can do with a box matches and some pigeons, these property developers are a resourceful bunch!,
Want a slice of pigeon pie anyone?
Surely someome must becoming to the conclusion that something is wrong in Margate ie insurance Co's, fire authorities, police, TDC etc. The number of fires seem to be increasing and something requires to be investigated.
Is this a case of," Nero fiddled while Rome burned, and Thanet burns whilst TDC fiddles?"
Prime development site here - shame about a footpath - last time i was up there the owners had shut the footpath, on grounds of fire damage caused by the last fire. All tied up with land adjacent to the Media centre which would add to the plot. Why bother selling a little piece of land formerly the car park for the bank now Media centre. It all stinks - been talked about before on Thanet Strife
There does seem to be a serious lack of planning regarding roadworks in Thanet generally. The Victoria Traffic Lights roadworks seem to be having problems as well, with delays and corners cut. I saw a bunch of them having a big ol' chat outside the Victoria Pub a few days ago. They didnt sound too pleased with how things were going... Its very dangerous and any parents with small children need to be especially wary round them in that area.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Another previously fine building spontaneously combusting, eh? Hopefully, the insurance companies will stop paying out and the police will start investigating all these unlucky fires in prime development sites.
Have a look at the big picture surounding The Arcadian and TDCs asset sell off and neighbouring properties and their owners and then this piece of timely arson looks even more dubious.
I've heard that the proprietor of the building is up before the magistrate's court soon (this week or next) because he's in breach of a section 215 notice for the removal of a balcony. The owner would prefer to demolish and put up a 9 storey work of genius it seems.
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