News / Grosvenor Hotel
Derelict hotel devastated by huge fire
Smoke billowed across the city centre as a major fire ripped through a derelict hotel.
The Grosvenor was once one of Bristol’s most prestigious hotels, hosting weddings, live music, discos and parties.
But in recent years, it has fallen into disrepair and on Tuesday night, it was ablaze from its ground floor to its roof.
is needed now More than ever
Firefighters from across Bristol attended the blaze at the building on Portwall Lane East opposite Temple Meads, with dozens of onlookers watching from behind cordons as the fire took hold.
Smoke could be seen coming from the upper floors of the hotel soon after 10pm, with flames visible just minutes later.
In March, Bristol24/7 got a tour of the Grosvenor from Tom, its only resident, who was squatting on one of the upper floors. We have texted him but have yet to receive a reply.
Smoke billowed across Bristol from the Grosvenor
Soon before midnight on Tuesday, Avon Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that there were no casualties caused by the fire but a neighbouring building had been evacuated.
A spokesperson said: “On arrival, crews from Temple, Bedminster, Hicks Gate, Kingswood, Patchway, Avonmouth, Bath and Weston-super-Mare found a fire on the ground floor of a derelict building and are working to tackle the blaze.
“There were fortunately no casualties. A number of people were safely evacuated from a neighbouring building. We advise people to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.”
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The hotel was also at the centre of a scam property development, which saw dozens of people invest tens of thousands of pounds in student flats that were never built and a property developer sentenced to 21 months in jail for contempt.
Bristol City Council have long had plans to create a public plaza at Temple Gate, but this could only go ahead with a compulsory purchase order for the Grosvenor, now a charred shell.
All photos & videos: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Meet the only resident of what was once Bristol’s grandest hotel
- Campaigners call for help to save the Grosvenor Hotel
- Fire breaks out in St Jude’s
- Historic pub to be reopened by new owners
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