Barnstaple workshop building demolished after fire
A workshop building in Barnstaple which was destroyed by fire last week has been demolished.
The workshop, situated on the corner of Pottington Road and Rolle Street, became engulfed in flames last Wednesday evening.
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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Fire crews at the scene of the fire at the junction of Rolle Street and Pottington Road. Photo by: 72e photography.
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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The workshop building before it was demolished
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Fire crews at the scene of the fire at the junction of Rolle Street and Pottington Road. Photo by: 72e photography.
Click here to view a full photo gallery of the fire.
Police closed nearby roads, including Pottington Road, Rolle Street, Fair View and Mill Road, and put a 100m cordon in place while firefighters battled to get the blaze under control.
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There were initial fears of gas cylinders in the workshop and although properties were not officially evacuated by police residents were advised to go and stay with friends or relatives elsewhere.
Following the fire, a building inspector was called to assess the structure of the building after cracks developed at the gable end.
The building has since been demolished.
Mike Tucker, Building Control Team Leader at North Devon Council, said the owner of the building took the decision to demolish it.
He said: "The council's building control officer attended the site to advise on the safety of the structure at the request of the fire service. As a result the road was closed until the building could be surveyed and action taken to make it safe.
“We didn't need to exercise our powers under Section 78 of the Building Act 1984 to take action and make the building safe as the owner took the necessary action themselves.
"The structure had been subject to intense heat and water drenching by the fire service and it was found that timber lintels were substantially damaged necessitating removal of the roof and demolition of the gables.
“However, when work commenced the contractor found that the bonding of the walls had failed and cracking was evident so the building was demolished. It was the owner’s decision to demolish the building but we had no objection to this course of action."
A fire investigation was carried out at the premises following the blaze and officers confirmed the cause of the fire was unknown but not suspicious.
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