Caught on camera - the youths dicing with death

It has been hit by numerous arson attacks, the floors of this once mighty building are unsafe and it is labelled a death trap.
Youths at the top of the tower on the pagefield buildingYouths at the top of the tower on the pagefield building
Youths at the top of the tower on the pagefield building

But young people are continuing to put their lives on the line, as these latest shocking pictures of the derelict Pagefield building in Swinley show.

We have decided to print these photographs without pixellating the faces because we fear for their lives and nothing else seems to be stopping the potenially lethal trespassing.

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There have been repeated warnings about the dangerous state of the abandoned building. People are concerned that it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

Youths inside the pagefield buildingYouths inside the pagefield building
Youths inside the pagefield building

An increasing number of fires are also being started at the mill, with four in just six days last week, tackled by crews from across Wigan and Bolton.

Firefighters are risking their own lives when they go into the building to put out the flames. And while they are tackling blazes there, other lives around the borough could be put at risk if they are unable to attend another fire.

Lee Coleman, Greater Manchester Fire And Rescue Service’s group manager for Wigan and Bolton, has called on parents to warn their children about how dangerous it is.

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He said: “I would urge parents to make sure their children are fully aware of the dangers at Pagefield Mill and other derelict building sites – there are a significant number of holes and hidden risks that can cause serious injury. We’ve responded to a number of incidents at the site, which not only put your children at risk, it puts our firefighters’ lives at risk and ties up resources when they may be needed to attend other or more serious incidents where lives are in danger.”

There have been calls for something to be done to improve security at the site. Wigan Council says it is working with partners and the building’s owners to have better fencing erected.