Spital Hill closure: Sheffield Council issues update on when street could re-open after serious fire

Firefighters were called to the scene, near the Wicker arches, on Sunday evening and spent over two hours putting out the blaze, only to have to return later when smoke was spotted again, finally leaving again in the early hours of Monday.

But people travelling into Sheffield town centre expecting to drive or walk along the street on Monday morning were greeted by a police cordon, as the street outside the building was taped off because of concerns about the condition of the building in the wake of the fire. Buses were diverted.

Barriers remain in place.

Today, bosses at Sheffield Council confirmed that there was concern over the safety of the building after the blaze, and that they did not yet know when the section of Spital Hill outside the devastated building would be able to re-open.

Michael Johnson, head of planning at Sheffield Council said: “It has been necessary to close the lower section of Spital Hill on the grounds of public safety following a fire to a private commercial property on Sunday evening. The resultant fire damage has made the building unsafe.

"Officers from the Dangerous Structures team have been in attendance and are working closely with the building owner and his Engineers to expedite a way forward to make the area safe. We are awaiting confirmation of their plan of action and timescales.”

Firefighters said on Monday that the fire was believed to have been started deliberately.

SPITAL HILL: Cordon remains on Spital Hill, Sheffield, around building seriously damaged by major fire

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