Neighbours are calling for tighter security after another fire at a derelict city site left a historic building in a 'dangerous' state.
The blaze broke out just after 9pm on Sunday and now the fire service has warned folk to stay away, after significant damage to the 19th-century building's roof.
Area manager for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, Stefan Rider, said: "We urge people not to enter them as it presents a significant risk to them and to our emergency responders."
The site is owned by Serryus Property Company (SPC), which also owns the surrounding Deal Ground and May Gurney sites which are earmarked for 670 homes.
That neighbouring site saw a similar fire in July when a derelict building was set alight in a suspected arson but the latest fire was at a grade II listed building.
There was also a blaze last month at a disused hospital in Thorpe St Andrew, which is not owned by SPC, to add to a string of similar fires in the Norwich area in recent years.
The Victorian Society is furious about the pumping station fire though, as director Joe O’Donnell said: “Rather than maximise the opportunity for reuse after being included on our Top Ten Endangered list the owners have instead failed to protect it from arson.
“Once buildings fall into this state, the risk of fires or other disasters dramatically increases.
“Nationally important buildings like this must be kept properly secured.
“The site was purchased from the council in 2003 by a developer who at best has done little with the site.
“The developer has failed to protect this historic site or bring forward sensitive plans for re-use - we urge them to sell to someone who will.
“The council should now step in to take whatever enforcement action is needed to ensure what is left is secured, and redouble its efforts to find a new use, which is ultimately what is required to prevent these kinds of incidents.”
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SPC did not respond to a request for comment, with neighbours living near the rundown area increasingly concerned about the site.
Marion Catlin said she felt heartbroken to see the fire, but also that it was an inevitable outcome due to it being so easy to access.
Ms Catlin said: “I feel very sad and sorry it is in that state, but I feel like it is rescuable. It is up to us as a city to do something positive about it and try to save it.
“There is a near constant stream of people breaking in but I can’t believe that it cannot be made secure.
“I have been involved with other abandoned buildings and they’ve had security patrols around multiple times per evening and it does cost money but that is what a responsible landowner or developer does.
“Now, the second pumping station is at risk as well as the surrounding heritage buildings which are also always being broken into.
“Those buildings are part of our landscape and they are not being looked after or valued.
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“Everyone here feels a bit helpless; we feel very passionate about protecting our heritage and our landscape.
“If those buildings go we will end up with a patch of land that will also get overgrown and part of our history will be lost forever.”
Fire crews from North Earlham, Carrow, Fakenham and Hethersett tackled the blaze.
For the safety of firefighters, aerial ladder platforms from North Earlham and Great Yarmouth were used to fight the fire from the outside, using water supplies from hydrants and the nearby river.
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They worked through the night until just before 5am on Monday, when a drone was used to confirm the fire was extinguished.
Area manager Mr Rider added: “We took swift action with our aerial ladder platforms to address flames spreading up from the fourth floor, which stopped the wider spread of the blaze through the building.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and the site is currently considered unsafe for fire investigation."
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