Buyer pays above guide for severely damaged Burn Spring Farm
A fire-ravaged farm in Saddleworth has been sold at auction for £348,000 despite the building being largely destroyed by fire just hours before the sale. The property, known as Burn Spring Farm, was still emitting smoke when the auction was held, according to the auctioneer who ran the sale.
James Pank, director of Oldham-based Auction House Manchester, described the transaction as one of the most extraordinary moments in his 15 years on the rostrum. He said the sale went ahead at the instruction of the vendor and that a purchaser secured the site for well above the advertised guide, even though the roof and timber joists had been lost in the blaze.
“On the morning of the auction I was driving over Saddleworth Moor from Leeds and past my own sale board on that barn, wondering why on earth there were 10 firefighters outside with two fire trucks… I’m meant to be selling this in three hours, what is going on here?”
Pank gave a vivid account of arriving at the scene before the auction and finding emergency crews in attendance. He said the roof had “completely gone” and that the internal timber joists were destroyed, yet a buyer still put down the winning bid of £348,000. The auctioneer explained that normally a property in that condition might be withdrawn or relisted at a reduced guide, but the client insisted the sale should proceed.
What the sale reveals about auction dynamics
The incident highlights a particular facet of property auctions: even severely dilapidated or damaged buildings can attract vigorous bidding. In Mr Pank’s view, the case of Burn Spring Farm demonstrates what he called the “weird psychology” at work in the auction room, where perceived opportunity, development potential or competitive bidding can push prices beyond expectations.
- Property: Burn Spring Farm, Saddleworth
- Sale price: £348,000
- Condition at auction: Roof and internal timber joists destroyed; still smoking on the day
- Auctioneer: Auction House Manchester (James Pank)
The local nature of the sale — with the auctioneer based in Oldham and the property on Saddleworth Moor — will be of interest to residents and investors across the borough. It also raises practical questions for owners and buyers about how to handle listings where sudden damage occurs shortly before a sale.
| Detail | Known fact |
|---|---|
| Auctioneer experience | 15 years |
| Emergency response | 10 firefighters and two fire engines attended |
| Timing | Fire occurred hours before the scheduled auction |
Those involved in local property markets say such sales underline the importance of clear instructions from vendors and robust communication from auction houses when unforeseen events occur. In this case, the vendor’s direction that the sale must go ahead meant bidders faced an unusual and fast-moving decision.
For neighbours and anyone tracking local heritage or agricultural buildings, the auction outcome will prompt reflection on what comes next for Burn Spring Farm — whether the purchaser intends to redevelop, rebuild or strip the site for materials. The facts on the ground remain: a severely damaged building, an active sale, and an outcome that caught even the auctioneer by surprise.
