An East Lancashire man is “gutted” after his allotment and shed was burned down, causing thousands in damage and killing some of his chickens.

On Sunday, June 26, four fire engines were called out to the fire at an allotment near East Crescent in Accrington.

The fire spread to four sheds and it took firefighters around two hours to get the blaze under control.

Michael Jordan outside of his burned down allotment shed

Michael Jordan, 54, is now is trying to rebuild his allotment space from scratch after he “lost everything” in the fire, including lawnmowers, tools, a quad bike and more.

Michael said nine chickens were killed in the blaze, but he was able to save five of them.

He said: “I received a phone call on Sunday saying my allotment was on fire. I thought it was a joke at first.

Firefighters were called to the fire on Sunday (26 June)

“I came running down and it was just a massive blaze. Mine was burned to the ground and a few of the neigbouring sheds caught fire too.

“Everything was destroyed – my shed, my greenhouse, my chicken coop."

Michael said it will cost “thousands” to replace all of the equipment and rebuild it again but says the sentimental value of the loss is much more important.

He said: “I have spent 10 years working on the allotment and come here every day.

"It’s sentimental to me as my dad helped me to build it and get it up and running.

“Mum loved coming down here too and she has recently died.”

Michael says it has also been a “haven” for him as he battles physical and mental health issues.

He said: “It’s my little haven because I have mental health issues. It’s a place to get away from everybody and just chill.

“When I was diagnosed with throat cancer the allotment became a bit of a distraction and it really helped me through it.

“It was peaceful up here, a place to come and think.”

Michael is now appealing to the public and asking for donations of any unwanted wood or pallets so he can build it again.

Michael Jordan's allotment and shed burned to the ground at the weekend

He said: “I am gutted. On Sunday I felt like walking away from it and my heart just sank.

“However, my family told me not to let it beat me and that I have worked too hard on it to leave it now.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: “Four fire engines from Hyndburn, Great Harwood, Blackburn and Burnley were called to a fire involving four sheds on East Crescent, Accrington.

“Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, two breathing apparatus, thermal imaging camera to bring the fire under control and were in attendance for approximately two hours. No injuries were reported.”

A spokesperson for the Hyndburn Neighbourhood Policing Team said they are “aware of the incident and looking into it”.

If you have any spare wood or equipment to donate to Michael, contact him via his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mickyveg.jordan.9

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