Blazes prompt residents' safety fears

The derelict CoOperative Funeralcare building caught fire twice in one month

Residents living close to a derelict funeral parlour that has caught fire twice in a month say they do not feel safe.

Arson is suspected after the blaze at the CoOperative Funeralcare building, in Redfield, Bristol, on Sunday.

Crews from Temple, Kingswood and Portishead tackled the blaze, Avon Fire and Rescue Service said.

The service said the fire was thought to have been started deliberately.

A previous fire broke out on Sunday 4 June and the fire service said then that arson had not been ruled out.

Avon and Somerset Police officers were also called to the scene, on Church Road, to support with road closures.

There were no reported injuries and the closures were lifted about two hours later, the force said.

Laura Hamilton spoke to the BBC when the building first set alight

Resident Laura Hamilton said a lot of her neighbours' gardens back on to the bulding, including her own, which is causing concern.

"I'm worried that someone might come and set fire to the building again," she said.

"I was quite numb for the first week after the first fire - it was quite traumatic.

"I think we've all been impacted by having that fire there and there’s been no follow up, no one’s come to reassure us. It’s causing us a lot of anxiety.”

Unnamed developers had previously submitted an application for student accommodation on the site of the building.

However, it is protected from demolition under a Heritage England building preservation notice served by Bristol City Council.

Police have called for anyone with information about the fire to contact them.