Shattered glass and blown out windows were left at the scene of a fire at the former Clifton College campus site on Friday, April 15. Some emergency services remained at the scene of the incident on Friday morning after eight fire crews tackled the blaze at its peak.
An investigation into the cause of the incident is taking on Friday after the incident in Farnborough Road was reported at 7:44 on Thursday evening. The building was described as being well alight.
Fire engines from East Leake, Highfields, West Bridgford, Stockhill, Arnold, Stapleford and Carlton were called to the scene, as well as the Aerial Ladder Platform from London Road and Command Support Unit and Specialist Rescue Unit from Highfields.
The road was closed to traffic on Friday night but has since reopened. A Fire Service welfare unit van and one police car were at the scene on Friday morning as a slight smell of smoke still lingered in the air. Police tape remained either side of the building, with no access to the fields either side of it from the turnoff.
At the height of the incident, residents were advised to avoid the area if possible and keep windows and doors closed.
A spokesperson for the Fire Service said: "A joint investigation will begin on Friday April 15. Thank you to local residents for your understanding."
Local residents have shared their dismay at what has happened.
Rosemary Hall, 61, who lives on Farnborough Road, said: "We've had things like that before, but I was out at the time it happened. When I got back, I had to park down the road and saw the emergency vehicles here.
"There's always loads of trouble around here. I'll be glad once the building is sorted."
Sarauvth Laprom, 38, who lives on Farnborough Road, said: "Something needs to be done quick before it becomes too dangerous. I heard some smashing in the building shortly before the fire started, you always here smashing in there.
"I've heard banging and smashing in there in the early hours of the morning. The building is being smashed in left, right and centre, you hear it but don't see the damage."
Nottinghamshire Live reported earlier this month that planning permission has been granted for the transformation of the former college into a headquarters and set of apartment blocks.
The old Nottingham College campus will be partially demolished to be redeveloped into the new headquarters for Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA), after plans were approved by Nottingham City Council on March 31.
A spokesperson for NCHA said: "We're aware of the fire that took place at our site in Clifton. We'll be working with the appropriate authorities over the coming days to understand more about the situation and to secure the site.
"Thank you to the fire and police services for their swift response, and for the patience of the local community."
