Care home hit by another fire

Care home hit by another fire

27 June 2012 - by BY DAVID TELFORD

ARSONISTS targeted the former St. John’s House care home in Downpatrick last week.

Fire crews attended the scene of a blaze last Friday evening which is believed to have been started in the roofspace which was badly damaged before the blaze was brought under control.

Last week’s fire came less than 24 hours after senior health chiefs confirmed they soon hope to dispose of St. John’s, along with the old Downe Hospital and former Pound Lane health clinic in Downpatrick.

The three iconic buildings which were at the centre of health care in the town for generations have all been vacated as a result of major investment in new health facilities in the town.

The vacated buildings are owned by the South Eastern Health Trust which hopes to dispose of them before the end of the year. The news was confirmed at last week’s

meeting of Down Council’s Health Committee.

Trust officials are working with the Department of Health’s asset management branch about the disposal of the buildings which are now surplus to requirement.

Aware of recent vandalism at the former hospital site where a security fence has been pulled to the ground and huge quantities of lead stripped from the building, Trust officials confirmed measures are in place to beef up security.

A more robust perimeter fence will be erected over the summer, while the former health clinic and adjacent St. John’s House buildings will be boarded up.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has expressed concern about the arson attack on St. John’s and called on Trust officials to work with Down Council and the Strategic Investment Board to make the site is secure and regenerate it.

“It is deeply regrettable that another fire has been started at St. John’s House. I know residents living near the building, particularly those in John Street and St Dillon’s Avenue, are extremely fed up at these continued arson attacks,” said the MP.

“It’s important this site is secured to drive forward a regeneration plan for this area of Downpatrick to reinvigorate our town and benefit our community.”

Downpatrick councillor Liam Johnston said the current appearance of the former hospital site does nothing to enhance the image of this part of Downpatrick.

He said while there has been a lot of work and major investment in the regeneration of the town centre, the state of the old hospital is a “total disgrace.”

Councillor Johnston added: “My big fear is that both St. John’s House and the former Pound Lane Health Clinic will end up the same way. The state of the former hospital takes away from the image of Downpatrick and this is an issue which needs to be addressed.”

Police investigating last weekend’s arson attack have issued an appeal for information. Anyone who can assist detectives with their enquiries asked to contact police at Downpatrick on 0845 600 8000, or use the confidential Crimestoppers number, 0800 555 111.