Middleton, Greater Manchester, UK  – Last weekend, when a devastating blaze consumed Lodge Mill, a historic building in Middleton, it prompted its owners to launch an urgent community appeal for support as demolition work has been underway on the fire-ravaged structure. Firefighters were called to the former silk and cotton mill on Townley Street just before 6 AM on Sunday, March 29th, battling an enormous fire that locals reported hearing accompanied by, "loud bangs and explosions", as parts of the site crumbled. Dating back to approximately 1850 and considered Middleton's oldest mill, Lodge Mill had already faced damge by a previous fire. It fell into disrepair in the early 2000s before Martin Cove and Paula Hickey purchased the front section, embarking on an ambitious restoration project. This latest inferno, however, has caused damage that definitely seems beyond any feasible restoration to its original form. Despite previous challenges, the couple had successfull...