City leaders have urged residents to continue avoiding the site of a fire that gutted a historic structure in the city centre this morning.
Council leader and Labour councillor Jane Meagher said the council would have a role in assessing the condition of the building and considering next steps.
She urged residents to continue to avoid the area for the time being, with the roads around the former Debenhams building being closed since early this morning.
Fire crews were dispatched to the site at around 2.50 this morning, with ten appliances present at the height of the blaze.
Crews were still hitting hotspots in the structure throughout this morning, as the road closures snarled traffic in the city centre.
Cllr Meagher said in full: “I’m relieved to hear that nobody has been hurt, and grateful for the swift response of the emergency services – who prevented this devastating fire becoming far worse.
“Once the area has been made safe, we will fully assess the condition of the building and consider next steps. I hope that local residents who were evacuated during the night will be able to return home soon.
“I’d urge people to continue to avoid the area for the time being, plan for ongoing disruption and follow all advice from the emergency services and transport operators.”
The building was set to be converted into a hotel by developer Criterion Capital, which is owned by property magnate Asif Azir.
It was to be the firm’s first Zedwell hotel north of the border.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
