Nottingham University lab to be rebuilt after fire

A building at Nottingham University, which was set to be a world-leading research centre, will be rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire.

The £20 million chemistry lab was due to open next year but was completely destroyed by the blaze while still under construction.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

These images show what was described as a land mark chemistry building that was destroyed by a fire last night.

The university's website describes the lab as being carbon neutral, built with natural materials, powered by renewable energy and incorporating "state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories".

It is billed to be a "centre for excellence", with the building work backed by a £12 million grant from pharmaceutical giant GSK.

Firefighters are working to dampening the still smouldering fire at Nottingham University, after a blaze at a chemistry building ignited yesterday evening. The cause of the incident is not known.

Incident Commander Joanne Wooler-Ward, speaking at the scene last night, said the building was empty when the fire took place, and no one was injured.

Firefighters battling a 'major' blaze at the University of Nottingham have managed to contain the fire but they are still working to put it out completely, according to an incident commander at the scene.

In a video posted on the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service's Facebook page, Group Manager Joanne Wooler-Ward said: "We're on a firefighting operation, so to extinguish the fire and manage any other risks."

She added that they are not in a position to say what started the fire but police and specialist fire investigation officers would be examining the site as soon as possible.

She said: "There is a lot of damage to the building.... It was a fully developed fire and just credit to those that really did pull out all the stops to prevent this fire spreading to other areas."

Pictures of the battle to control a 'major fire' at Nottingham University have been published by the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service on their Facebook page.

A building that caught fire at Nottingham University has collapsed, according to a station manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

An eyewitness has described the scene at the University of Nottingham where around 50 firefighters are currently tackling a major blaze.

Sarah Armes says the fire is 'massive'.

READ: 'Major' fire at Nottingham University

Around 60 firefighters have been called out to the "significant" blaze at Nottingham University, according to a spokesman from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue.

They said: "We are dealing with a significant incident..... The building is part of the University of Nottingham campus."

They added that there have been no reports of injuries and the cause of the blaze is unknown as yet.

Video courtesy of Sarah Armes