TWO men who were arrested in connection with a fire at a derelict building in Stroud have been released under investigation.
The men, who are both 20-years-old and from Stroud, were arrested this yesterday morning on suspicion of arson.
Emergency services were called to Wallbridge at about 4pm on Tuesday after a listed warehouse by the canal caught fire.
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 4pm on Tuesday we were called to a fire on Bath Road in Stroud.
“We sent two fire engines from Stroud and when our crews arrived they found a two storey derelict building well alight.”
Ten firefighters tackled the blaze while four police cars attended to kept members of the public at a safe distance.
Debris from the building was seen falling into the canal, with pieces of the walls and roof collapsing.
Fire crews extinguished the fire and an investigation into its cause began.
In a statement, Gloucestershire police said: “At about 4pm on Tuesday 21 August, police were called to a fire at a derelict building at Wallbridge Stroud.
“The fire may have been started deliberately.
“Fire officers were already at the scene and the fire is now under control.”
The site was part of plans for a wider redevelopment of Wallbridge, with 33 apartments, four townhouses and a commercial/retail unit due to be built on the site.
The proposed development of the site was due to incorporate the old warehouse, which is listed by Historic England at Grade 2.
Wallbridge Warehouse was supposed to be renovated to include an office and work space, with an apartment over it.
A witness who called the fire service from her home in Hill Paul said she heard the blaze before she saw it
“I heard crackling, turned around and the smoke was coming into the apartment,” she said.
“I called the fire brigade straight away. There was so much smoke so I’m sure I wasn’t the only person to call.”
One onlooker at the scene said: “It is really sad to see a building that is listed on fire.
“It has been a big part of Stroud for years so it is a great shame.”
No one was inside the building at the time and there were no injuries.
Wallbridge Warehouse is a canal wharf warehouse built in 1828, with later adaptations.
It forms the focus of the former wharf area and is one of the few remaining canal buildings on the Thames and Severn Canal that runs through Stroud.
It is thought the building has been derelict since the closing of the canal in 1933.
The investigation continues and police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which would assist enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 101 quoting incident 318 of August, 21.
View the events as they happened yesterday on our live blog:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel