Rebuilding fears over Oldbury factory fire
Householders whose homes and cars were damaged by a factory fire are calling on the bosses of the firm not to rebuild near their properties.
Residents have started putting together a petition calling on Sandwell Council to stop Alcohols Ltd from rebuilding the Oldbury factory, which burned to the ground on Monday. They are also calling for a full health and safety review to be carried out and want the firm to announce what procedures they had in place to deal with a major incident.
Supermarket worker and Sandwell councillor Jayne Wilkinson has set up the petition which is calling on the company not to rebuild near their homes.
Father of two Darren O'Neill of Vicarage Street is also backing the campaign
The electrician's house backs onto the site, and he said: "We definitely do not want it rebuilt, but I am not sure whether a petition will be enough to stop it. If it is rebuilt I want the assurances that it will be safe, and all the relevant health and safety regulations and procedures are being followed.
"No-one has been round to talk to us at all about what happened."
Mr O'Neill said he wants the company bosses to hold a meeting with residents.
Karen Whitehouse, aged 32, of Avery Myers Close, said she was planning to distribute the petitions.
She said: "I definitely don't want it rebuilt. We just can't risk something like that happening again.
"We also don't know what sort of chemicals went up in smoke. Since the fire, I have had a headache and a bloodshot eye. I don't know whether that had anything to do with the chemicals released during the fire."
The firm said it was too early to confirm any action it will take.
