Arson investigation after derelict factory blaze

Andy Trigg
BBC News, Norfolk
Shaun Whitmore/BBC Large piles of rubble at the site of the former factory. Part of the roof has collapsed and the ruins can be seen in the background Shaun Whitmore/BBC
"Essential" demolition of the factory began on Tuesday

An arson investigation after a large fire at a derelict shoe factory has proved inconclusive, it has emerged.

More than a dozen fire crews battled the blaze at the former Van-Dal shoe factory in Dibden Road, Norwich, on Monday evening.

"Essential" demolition of the building, which contained asbestos, began on Tuesday.

Norfolk County Council said nearby George White Junior School would remain closed for a second day as a "precautionary measure" following advice from emergency services and local authorities.

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said a fire investigation was carried out on Tuesday.

"Due to the severity of the fire, the scale of the damage and instability of the building, we were unable to determine the cause of the fire," they added.

Smoke and an orange glow can be seen coming from behind residential home. There is a police officer and a white car in the picture
At its height, more than a dozen fire crews battled the blaze
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service A fire service aerial platform ladder extinguishing the blaze. Half of the building is fully alight with flames and smoke filling the airNorfolk Fire and Rescue Service
The fire service said it left the site at 14:30 GMT on Tuesday

Norwich City Council said initial air quality tests showed "no significant levels of asbestos present in the air" and it reassured residents the health risk was low.

It added further tests would take place on Wednesday.

"Specialist asbestos operatives provided by the demolition company are on site," a council spokesperson said.

"Essential demolition took place on [Tuesday] night and is ongoing this morning."

George White Junior School is located about 100m (328ft) from the derelict site.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue said it believed up to 75% of the building had been damaged.

Chris Goreham/BBC Demolition plant alongside piles of red bricksChris Goreham/BBC
The city council is urging the public to "avoid the site entirely"

The closure of the facility, Norwich's last remaining shoe factory, was announced in 2018.

Firefighters attended a blaze at the same location last April.

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