Rumors about asbestos exposure following intense fire have locals concerned about mesothelioma cancer

A fire that ravaged a small pub in a quaint English community may have dangerous consequences to public health. It took six fire engines to quench the fire that raged out of control at the Corsair pub in Bidston Village last Tuesday evening.

But while the fire was intense, it was the rumors that the pub contained asbestos, a known carcinogen, which concerned local residents and law enforcement officials. In order to protect public health, local police went door to door to ask residents to shut their doors and windows as a precautionary measure. It was hoped that shutting windows and doors would keep any airborne asbestos from entering people’s homes.

Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and thousands more abroad. While there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. When tiny fibers of asbestos are inhaled, they may seriously damage the lungs or other major organs. Over time, this damage may result in the development of cancerous cells. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

“They were telling you to make sure you close the windows in case there was anything in the air. It’s the second time in about six months that [a fire has] gone off there,” said a man who lives near the pub.