Police are being urged to investigate arson attacks at derelict sites more seriously after another of the city’s historic buildings was set alight.
Heritage group The Norwich Society have been angered after their worries about a blaze at the disused Trowse Pumping Station were realised.
A spokeswoman said: “The news that Trowse Pumping Station has been severely damaged by fire is received by The Norwich Society with great sadness and frustration.
“The images suggest that another historic Norwich building which was capable of being rejuvenated has been lost to the public."
Both The Norwich Society and the national Victorian Society had warned of the risk to the grade II listed buildings, the latter of which added it to a top 10 most endangered buildings list.
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The site was bought in 2003 by Serryus Property Company (SPC) and has since become derelict.
The same firm owns the neighbouring former industrial May Gurney and Deal Ground sites, where it is hoping to build 670 homes.
That site also had a fire in a disused building, adjacent to the pumping stations, in July. SPC has declined to comment following Sunday's fire.
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The roof was severely damaged, with aerial platforms used by the fire service after the fire broke out at around 9pm and were on site until just before 5am on Monday.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service have not been able to confirm if the fire is being treated as arson yet due to the site being unsafe, with a Norfolk Constabulary spokesman confirming the fire service is taking the lead in the investigation.
However, it follows a succession of similar blazes at derelict sites in the area in recent years, including a former hospital in Thorpe St Andrew last month.
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The Norwich Society spokeswoman added: “We sincerely hope that the police will fully investigate the circumstances surrounding this criminal act.”
The pumping station buildings first opened in 1869 and had a vital role in cleaning the city’s water of both sewage and cholera.
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The site of the fire is on the fringe of county councillor Ben Price's Thorpe Hamlet division. He added: “It’s tragic to see this beautiful building ravaged by fire.
“I believe that landowners have a moral duty to look after, protect, and preserve historical architecture, because culturally they belong to all of us.
“I sincerely hope that the police and fire services treat this case with the respect that it deserves so lessons can be learnt, and more of Norwich’s fine history can be preserved and enjoyed by future generations.”
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