Huge fire that damaged Grade II-listed Bristol University maths department during £33m renovation may have been arson, say investigators

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An investigation has been launched after a fire broke out at a university building undergoing a £33million investment, with experts refusing to rule out arson.

The blaze caught hold of one of Bristol University's oldest buildings just after 5pm last night, sending smoke billowing across the skyline.

Firefighters battled for three hours before it was put out around 8pm.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service is now probing the cause of the fire, with bosses claiming they 'can't rule out foul play'.

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The blaze caught hold of one of Bristol University's oldest buildings just after 5pm last night, sending smoke billowing across the skyline

Firefighters battled for three hours before the flames in Bristol were put out around 8pm

Group manager Steve Quinton told the Bristol Post: 'The investigation is ongoing and the cause is unknown. We're not treating it as suspicious, but still not ruling it out.

'There are no obvious signs that it is suspicious. The investigation is in its early stages so the cause is still unknown and it can't be ruled out.'    

No one was inside the Fry Building when it caught fire and there were no injuries.

The Fry Building, which is Grade II-listed, was under renovation as part of a £33million scheme. 

It used to be home to the university's school of biological sciences, but was due to re-open as the new maths block later this year.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service is now probing the cause of the fire, with bosses claiming they 'can't rule out foul play'

The cause of the fire is not clear but experts are today investigating why it started 

A Bristol University spokesman told the newspaper the roof (pictured) and top floor were damaged by the flames, while lower floors suffered water damage from hoses

A Bristol University spokesman told the newspaper the roof and top floor were damaged by the flames, while lower floors suffered water damage from hoses. 

They said: 'The whole building was being refurbished to house the School of Maths. 

'It would appear that just the roof and top floor has been fire damaged but there's water damage elsewhere as you would expect.'

Seven fire engines and 40 firefighters were scrambled to the scene, where they used turntable ladders, pumping machines and helicopters to guide jets of water being shot at the inferno.

The nearby Wills Memorial Building was evacuated and crowds gathered to watch the flames in surrounding streets.

Police cordons were in place and roads closed, but these were lifted after three hours.       

Seven fire engines and 40 firefighters were scrambled to the scene, where they used turntable ladders, pumping machines and helicopters to guide jets of water being shot at the inferno

The nearby Wills Memorial Building was evacuated and crowds gathered to watch the flames (pictured) in surrounding streets

The blaze could be seen from across the city as it burned for three hours yesterday evening

Paul Smith, head of facilities at Bristol, said: 'The fire was in the roof area of the building. The fire brigade were dealing with it.

'We evacuated the other buildings because smoke got into them but they're fine. Everyone is accounted for.

'No staff or students were in the building. The contractors say their staff are accounted for and no one was on site because it was Saturday.' 

Mr Smith refused to comment on how much the damage would cost and whether the damage would delay the re-opening date of the Fry Building. 

But he added: 'It's really early days. We don't know.

Pictured: The fire that blazed for three hours at one of Bristol University's oldest buildings 

A £33MILLION SUPER MATHS BLOCK WITH A ROOF GARDEN 

Pictured: The Fry Building at the heart of Bristol University's campus before the fire

The University of Bristol had invested £33million in transforming the Grade II-listed Fry Building to become the new home for the School of Mathematics from this spring.

It was previously home to the School of Biological Sciences until 2014 and has been undergoing renovation works ever since.  

The new building had lecture theatres and other teaching rooms, a wide variety of spaces for student quiet study, areas for groups and individuals, as well as social areas and interaction space. 

According to the university website, while the historic character of the iconic building was being preserved, new additions included an atrium, which was due to link to a new 140 seat lecture theatre with a roof garden above it.

The atrium planned to integrate public art in the form of a Voronoi pattern. 

The Voronoi screen, which also acts as a brise-soleil, enclosed what was originally external walls and has a large glass staircase from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the city.  

Leading academic Professor Noah Linden said: 'The Fry Building will provide an outstanding home for mathematics in the heart of the University's precinct, and we are very excited about moving into it. 

'We will have facilities for research and teaching befitting a world-leading mathematics department.' 

Source: Bristol University  

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'There will be an investigation first. We need to get the building back so we can get in and investigate. It has been contained to the roof.

'It's not pleasant. It's one of the oldest buildings on the estate. It's a little upsetting for everyone involved.

'On Monday we'll start the process of finding out what went wrong.' 

The new state-of-the-art facility included lecture theatres, teaching rooms, quiet study areas and social spaces.

New additions to the historic building were to include an atrium linking to a new 140-seat lecture theatre with a roof garden above.

Mr Quinton of Avon Fire and Rescue added there was 'severe damage' to the roof and that the roof structure had fallen through to the top floor. 

He added: 'The investigator has had no problem getting into the building but currently the roof structure is unstable.'     

Police cordons were in place and roads closed, but these were lifted after three hours

Fire engines were scrambled to the scene after the flames broke out around 5pm 

Avon Fire and Rescue Service is now investigating what caused the Bristol University fire 

Students in nearby buildings were evacuated but no one was inside the Fry Building at the time