BREAKING: Avon Fire & Rescue confirm Fry Building blaze was accidental
An investigation into the cause of the fire which engulfed the top floor of the University's Fry Building on Saturday evening has concluded it was started accidentally
Today, Avon Fire & Rescue Service completed their investigation into the cause of the fire which sent the top floor of the five storey Fry Building. Thankfully, the crew were able to stop the fire from spreading.
Most recent updates on the Fry Building Fire:
— Epigram (@EpigramPaper) 6 January 2018
•The University have announced that everyone is accounted for and that Queens Road is now reopen.
•Wills Memorial Library will be closed until further notice as a precaution.https://t.co/G2elWibB9J
Video credit: Fred Sallabank pic.twitter.com/RnKgNEFhHW
Group Manager Steve Quinton has released a statement on behalf of the emergency services:'We know that refurbishment works were being carried out in the roof on Saturday afternoon which we believe has led to the accidental fire starting.
'In any fire investigation we consider and then rule out all possible causes to arrive at the most likely cause. The extent of the damage at Fry Building means we will never be able to identify exactly where the fire started but we are satisfied it started accidentally as a result of the works taking place that day.'
The Fry Building had been undergoing building work as part of a £33m investment for a new center for Mathematics. Work on building, found on Woodland Road behind the Wills Memorial Building, was due to be completed in Spring 2018.
There are reports of a large fire on the university campus, more as we get it. photos: Conor O'Shea pic.twitter.com/3S1DykR4QE
— Epigram (@EpigramPaper) 6 January 2018
Luckily, as the building was being renovated, no one was inside and no injuries have been reported.
Quinton has also thanked the team from Avon Fire & Rescue for their commitment and bravery: 'Although the damage was extensive I’d like to recognise our Fire Control staff and firefighters whose actions certainly prevented more damage. We had a crew at the scene six minutes after we received the first 999 who immediately put in place plans to tackle the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building.
The investigation into the cause of the fire @BristolUni on Saturday evening has been concluded.
— Avon Fire & Rescue (@AvonFireRescue) 8 January 2018
Read the latest here https://t.co/vmOhSXCcHH pic.twitter.com/hiru8A5LEW
'I would also like to recognise the assistance we received on the night from the police and ambulance services, Bristol City Council, the University of Bristol and the many members of the public who sent us messages of support.'
The University, as well as us at Epigram, extend our thanks to the emergency services.
Those at the University who were affected by the fire and its evacuations have been encouraged to contact their schools for extenuating circumstances if their exam preparation was hindered.
We want to hear your thoughts on the fire!