A FIERCE blaze which ripped through a warden's hut shop at the popular Giant's Seat Scout camp could have been started deliberately.
Now, leaders face a race against time to have the Radcliffe District Scout Association site fully operational again for a visit by the movement's Chief Scout in May.
At the height of Tuesday night's (April 20) outbreak, firefighters were faced with the threat of the flames spreading to two nearby free-standing LPG (liquid petroleum gas) storage containers.
Crews were also hampered by a water shortage as they fought the fierce blaze, which wrecked the 15ft by 12ft timber-framed building which also served as a tuck shop. Damage is estimated at £2,000.
Also damaged were tables, chairs, and other items inside a nearby 24ft long metal container which served as a storage unit.
Firefighters from Whitefield and Farnworth were called to the Scout camp at 7pm.
Whitefield-based Sub Officer Steve Simpson said: "As we approached, we could see the building was well alight, because it was such a large timber unit."
The flames spread to a large metal container nearby while the intense heat generated by the blaze also affected the two free-standing LPG containers.
Sub-officer Simpson added: "It was a matter of putting out the blaze and cooling down the LPG containers.
"We also had a water shortage problem, simply because we were out in the middle of nowhere."
Officers used a water jet to cool down the LPG containers but were unable to save the tuck shop - one of three huts at the site - from being destroyed.
The blaze damaged a fridge and other goods inside. Fire crews spent almost two hours at the scene.
The cause of the outbreak is being treated as suspicious.
In February last year, firebugs targeted the camp and destroyed a £50,000 accommodation block.
A spokesman for Bury police said officers visited the scene following the blaze. At this stage, they cannot say if the cause was arson.
Meanwhile, Scouting leaders are assessing the damage, which they say could not have come at a worse time.
Radcliffe district commissioner Mr Gary Wilson said: "The camp site is due to host a visit by Chief Scout George Purdie on May 21. He is scheduled to meet 800 Scouts drawn from throughout Greater Manchester district, who will be on a four-day camp.
"The hut that was burned down was the subject of a major restoration, costing a few hundred pounds.
"We had upgraded it externally and had planned to carry out internal works this weekend with people planning to sleep inside it."
Mr Wilson says he will discuss with colleagues whether a tent or some other large unit can be taken to the site in time for the Chief Scout's visit.
Leaders now face a massive operation during the next month to have the camp site tidied up and fully operational again.
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