Bristol University fire: Crews tackle blaze at Grade II listed Fry Building

The five storey building, currently undergoing a £33 million revamp, is believed to have been empty when the blaze broke out

A major fire which broke out at Bristol University has now been extinguished following dramatic scenes as crew from six engines fought to contain the blaze.

Firefighters tackled the blaze which engulfed parts of the five storey Grade II listed Fry Building, which was undergoing a £33m renovation to house the Maths department.

Students were evacuated from other parts of the university, according to reports on social media.

Izzy Posen said on Twitter: “Got evacuated from the Wills Memorial library due to big fire at the University of Bristol.”

The Fry building near Park Street is in the old part of the university in Bristol city centre and was due to reopen in the spring.

Eyewitness Tom Collins said on Twitter: “Bristol Uni fire looks pretty insane at the moment. I really do hope everyone is OK up there.”

Toby Osborne said: “Eerie scenes on the #Triangle in Bristol as firefighters do their best to put out the fire. It’s coming from behind the Wills on a smaller building with scaffolding.”

University academic Professor Gary Foster tweeted: “Patchy news at the moment but looks like massive fire in our old building, the Fry building, at Bristol Uni. Building being totally refurbished for Maths. Devastating.”

A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “A fire broke out in our Fry Building at just after 5pm this evening (Saturday 6 January).

"The building is currently undergoing refurbishment and was due to reopen in summer 2018. Everyone has been accounted for and Avon Fire & Rescue have informed us that they have now extinguished the fire. We will be working with Avon Fire & Rescue in the coming days to help investigate the cause of the blaze.”

The fire brigade confirmed there had been no reports of any casualties and said the cause of the fire was under investigation.