Emergency Services
Investigation Launched in Africa House Blaze
Services were called to the house on Woodbourne Road just before 6pm on Friday evening.
The police have confirmed they are treating the fire at Africa House on Friday evening as ‘suspicious’.
Services were called to the house on Woodbourne Road just before 6pm on Friday evening.
Africa House was once the home of businessman Trevor Baines before his conviction for money laundering in October 2009.
The Police said: ‘Following a report of a fire at a property on Woodbourne Road, Douglas shortly after 6pm yesterday, Friday 11th August 2023, police can now confirm that they are currently treating this as suspicious. A number of enquiries are ongoing in relation to this investigation, and at this time the scene of the fire itself remains cordoned off and under police control. The roads around the property remain open, and police do not currently believe anyone to have been injured as a result of the fire. ‘
‘We are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area between 4.30pm and 6.15pm, and who feel they may have information which may assist with this enquiry, to contact us at Police Headquarters on 631212.’
The Fire Service added: ‘On arrival the Officer-in-Charge reported smoke issuing from the roof at the rear of the property. Firefighting operations were made difficult due to the building having its doors and windows boarded up in an attempt to make it secure.
‘The fire broke through the roof of the property and an aerial appliance was utilised as a water tower to knock the fire from above. The fire was contained to a left hand section of the property and fire crews remained in attendance for over three hours until all hot spots were extinguished and the property made safe.’
