Large fire hits derelict Bristol Grosvenor Hotel

A large fire broke out overnight at a Bristol city centre building which has been derelict for the last 20 years.

The fire, at the former Grosvenor Hotel near Temple Meads, started shortly after 22:00 BST on the ground floor.

Avon Fire and Rescue said there were no casualties, but it evacuated people from a neighbouring building.

Roads past the hotel were closed and reopened shortly after 06:30 on Wednesday.

Crews from eight different fire stations attended the fire

Some eyewitnesses reported seeing flames up to 18 metres in the air at the height of the fire.

Fire crews from as far afield as Bath and Weston-super-Mare were called to deal with the blaze.

Avon Fire and Rescue said the cause of the fire was unknown.

A structural engineer from Bristol City Council has visited the site because of concerns over the safety of the structure.

The fire service has encouraged people to stay away from the building.

Avon Fire and Rescue spent several hours battling the blaze

The building has been the subject of a long-running wrangle between Bristol City Council and developers, who were investigated by the government after failing to convert it to flats.

It was due to be refurbished as part of the Temple Quarter project.

A spokesman for the council said: "We await further details about the condition of the site, but we remain committed to our ambition to support the redevelopment of the area to create a world-class welcome to Bristol at Temple Quarter."