Police cordon after fire in derelict bus station

Police are guarding the former bus and coach station following a fire

Police put a cordon in place at the former bus station in Exeter overnight after a fire which started in a toilet block.

Emergency services were called at about 20:00 BST on Monday to reports of the fire in the derelict bus station on Paris Street.

Fire crews tackled the blaze and the scene was handed over to Devon and Cornwall Police at about 21:00 BST, the fire service said.

No injuries were reported, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed.

Fire broke out at the Exeter Bus and Coach station on Monday

Acting Supt John Shuttleworth for the local area said: “Officers attended a small outbuilding in the bus station that is no longer used by the public.

"The fire was contained within the outbuilding and local CID are reviewing CCTV to look for possible suspects.

"The matter is all in hand.”

Exeter City Council said in July 2022 the station was going to be demolished.

However the site has remained in a derelict state and a tent and other encampments can be seen in the grounds.

A spokesman for the council said: “We have a contractor ready to start the long-awaited demolition of the former bus station and we look forward to the start of work on site as soon as possible."

The spokesman said the council had "had to go to market a couple of times to get a company to complete the work".

He said: “We are keen to get the contractors on site as quickly as we are able to, and we are currently considering temporary uses for the site following demolition, ahead of the longer term redevelopment of the area.”

Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: "We sent three pumps in total.

"The fire was put out and the scene handed over to the police at 21:00 who put the scene on guard overnight."

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