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Fire damages roof of listed former court building

Holly Phillips
BBC News
Aimee Gardner Flames and smoke seen against the night sky and firefighters alongside the burning building on an aerial platform, spraying water on the flames.Aimee Gardner
Flames were seen coming from the roof of Sessions House on Wednesday evening

A historic former court building in Lincolnshire has been damaged in a fire.

Fire crews were called to Sessions House in Market Place, Sleaford, on Wednesday at 17:20 GMT.

The blaze damaged the roof of the 19th Century former criminal court, which now houses a restaurant and offices.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said there were people in the building who managed to escape, and there were no reports of injuries.

The fire service's Dave Gilbert said the three-storey stone structure was "quite a difficult building to access".

"The crews did a fantastic job of getting in quickly. Identifying where the fire was was quite significant," he said.

Michael Nagasaka/BBC A stone building ablaze at night, with black smoke coming from the roof. A fire engine sits in front of the building. A large fire truck with an extended ladder sprays water. The street is cordoned off with emergency crews present.Michael Nagasaka/BBC
Fire crews were called to Market Place in Sleaford on Wednesday evening

"We managed to get enough resources on scene and to get the fire under control and prevent it from spreading any further."

At the height of the blaze, 11 fire engines were at the scene, including an aerial platform.

It was brought under control at about midnight.

A worker at the nearby Pizza Delight said the whole building had been shut and "the area has been closed by police officers".

Ken Hanslip, who owns a shop nearby, said: "It's devastating for the businesses involved. Their livelihood at the moment is on hold. It's a terrible thing.

"The good thing is that no-one so far has been injured. The fire brigade has been marvellous. They've done wonders."

Karl Bird/BBC About half a dozen firefighters are in the vicinity of the damaged building during daylight. There is red and white tape cordoning off the area. Two fire engines are parked at the scene.Karl Bird/BBC
Fire crews in Market Place on Thursday morning

The building was completed in 1831 and was built by local architect Henry Edward Kendall.

It was designed with a gothic-style, featuring arched windows, embattled parapets, and medieval details.

According to Sleaford and District Civic Trust, Sessions House ceased to be a court in 2008 and was converted into a restaurant.

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