A HOUSE owner fears his property could be burned to the ground by youths who build bonfires out of material stripped from the derelict stand at Runcorn FC Halton's former ground.
Tony Healey, who rents out a property in Wivern Place which backs onto the derelict Canal Street stadium, has pleaded with council chiefs to clear-up the mess before teenage firebugs cause a serious blaze.
For weeks youngsters have stripped timber and asbestos from the disused main stand to build giant bonfires on waste ground near Mr Healey's property.
Now he fears his house could be seriously damaged or a child injured unless the debris is cleared away.
He told the Weekly News: 'Almost every night kids are coming to the ground and vandalising what is left of the buildings.
'They drag wood and asbestos to the wasteground outside my house and set fire to it. Some of them have discovered that if they wet the asbestos first it will burn with a loud popping noise.
'Something will have to be done to move this debris, otherwise someone will be hurt or property will be damaged.
'I am also worried about the safety of my residents. The problem started to worsen on the run-up to Bonfire Night, but now things are really getting out of control.
'Apart from anything else, it is unsightly to have all this charred rubbish outside the house and it makes the area look like a junk yard. It is also not safe for the children who go to the nearby primary school.
'The children will continue to cause mischief as long as this rubbish is there for them. This will carry on unless the mess is cleared up.'
The Linnets left their Canal Street home at the end of last season and now play their home games at the Halton Stadium in Widnes.
Canal Street, the Linnets home for 83 years, was earmarked for development after debts at the club spiralled. A plan for 104 homes on the site was given the green light by councillors in April.
Now the club is in talks with developers Persimmon homes and hopes to announce the formal purchase of the site shortly.
