Fire destroys landmark 20 million chemistry lab at Nottingham University

The shell of the building had been finished, but the project had not yet reached the internal fitting-out phase, according to the university.

More than 60 firefighters tackled a huge fire at the Triumph Road site overnight after being called to the University of Nottingham campus shortly after 8.30pm on Friday.

No-one was injured and no other buildings were affected as fire crews fought to gain control of the fire while it tore through the timber-framed building, sending burning debris into the sky. Pictures on Twitter showed a huge blaze lighting up the night sky with plumes of smokes coming from the building. The fire was eventually brought under control at around 1am.

Joanne Wooler-Ward, group manager for Nottingham Fire and Rescue, said: "No other buildings have been affected, fortunately no people were involved in this fire and we've had 12 crews here, that's over 60 firefighters.

"Credit to those firefighters who pulled out all the stops to prevent this fire spreading.

"When we arrived, the fire was a significant size - it could be seen from quite a distance - and there was a smoke plume spreading towards the campus area so we sent out a message for people to keep doors and windows closed.

"The firefighters have worked hard to contain that fire and stop it from spreading to any other buildings.

"Members of the public might have been quite alarmed when they heard a loud bang that some thought was an explosion - that's something that happens to buildings when they're exposed to extreme heat and pressure but that's a risk that we manage and are trained to deal with."

Crews remained overnight to fully extinguish the fire, with an investigation into the cause now likely to take place.

Mr Greatrix said the threat of the flames spreading to neighbouring university buildings - some just 20m (65ft) away - had been a very real possibility, but firefighters had worked diligently to stop it happening.

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Fire destroys landmark 20 million chemistry lab at Nottingham University