Bramcote College fire possible cause revealed as police launch investigation

A joint investigation has been launched following a blaze at a former college building close to the Nottingham border. The fire that took place at St John's College on Peache Way, Bramcote, on Sunday, May 12, is being investigated by Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service as a suspected arson attack.

The blaze started at around 7pm on Sunday, with crews finally leaving the scene at around 11am on Monday, May 13. Residents were asked to keep their windows and doors closed due to the thick smoke.

Ten fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms, a water bowser, a command support vehicle, and a welfare unit were in attendance, as well as paramedics from East Midlands Ambulance Service. Three fire engines remained at the scene in the morning. No one is believed to have been injured in the fire.

• READ MORE: Youths seen 'on roof' of derelict college in Bramcote before huge fire ripped through building

Officers are now carrying out a number of local inquiries and studying CCTV as part of their investigation to discover exactly what happened. Due to part of the building collapsing during the fire, full searches of the site have been delayed.

Detective Sergeant Jo Eaton of Nottinghamshire Police said: "Our joint investigation is at an early stage but initial indications suggest this fire was started deliberately. Arson is an extremely serious offence that can lead to tragic consequences, so we will be working hard to find out who is responsible.

"Derelict sites such as the building targeted in this incident can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important that people stay away from these types of locations." Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager, Richard Cooper, said: "We dedicated a large number of resources to respond to this incident in Bramcote.

"Crews from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and our Joint Fire Control, worked solidly from 7pm on Sunday, May 12, to extinguish this fire, and we remain on site today (Monday, May 13) to understand the cause. We will always work with our partners to ensure the safest outcome for our communities and do not tolerate deliberate fire setting.

"I want to thank the public for following our safety advice by keeping doors and windows closed locally and avoiding the area if possible. Always call 999 in an emergency."

Anyone with any information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 556 of May 12, 2024, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.