Bristol building fire may have been started deliberately

Nearby homes and building were evacuated as the fire service dealt with the blaze in Redfield

Fire investigators are not ruling out that a blaze in a derelict building may have been started deliberately.

Fire crews were called at about 19:50 BST on Sunday after the fire broke out in the old Cooperative FuneralCare building in Redfield, Bristol.

A structural engineer has confirmed the building is "unsafe" after the fire.

Church Road was likely to remain closed "for some time" while efforts were made to make the structure as stable as possible, the fire service said.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said early indications from investigations had prompted suggestions it could have been started deliberately.

A Historic England spokesperson said: "The building has been given temporary protection from alteration and demolition through the building preservation notice served by Bristol City Council, and we are in the process of assessing it for listing.

"We will work with the council and support them in considering the next steps for securing the building."

Avon Fire & Rescue Service said the exact cause of the fire is still "unknown".

Crews had remained at the scene "for some time" damping down hotspots until the fire was completely extinguished, it said.

"Due to the damage to the building and risk of collapse, fire investigators have been unable to access the property as part of an investigation," the service added.