BRISTOL City Council has sent in specialist contractors to remove asbestos from a derelict building that was set alight in Hillfields.
The former Hillfields FC clubhouse, next to Hillfields Park Community Centre, was badly damaged in the fire on May 10, which is being investigated as an arson attack by police.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service sent two crews to the building off Thicket Avenue after residents reported smoke and flames coming from it at around 7.10pm.
After they extinguished the fire a cordon was put in place to keep people out.
A police spokesperson said: “The incident is being treated as a suspected arson. CCTV and house-to-house enquiries, as well as high-visibility reassurance patrols, will be carried out while investigations continue.”
Police called on anyone with information or relevant CCTV or dashcam footage from around the time of the incident to call 101, quoting crime reference number 5226 128 256.
Afterwards council leader Tony Dyer said the authority had taken “multiple steps to secure the site”, including round-the-clock security.
‘Low’ risk to public
He said: “Surveys of the building undertaken in 2023 identified the presence of non-licensed asbestos material and additional surveys following the recent fire have indicated that is still the case. In particular, the roof is made of a non-licensed material containing white asbestos.
“While the risk to the public is low, we are taking the health of local residents seriously. Air quality tests have been carried out, and all results are within safe limits.
“Specialist contractors trained in asbestos removal are now also on site to safely clear debris and non-licensed materials in and around the building.
“As well as this, a building surveyor has visited the site and, while it is believed that the building is not at risk of collapse, it is likely to be demolished in the future as we continue to explore future options for the site.”
The council says it is being monitored by security contractors, who have installed mobile security towers, linked to a 24-hour response team who will attend if trespassers go onto the site.
The building had been due to be demolished to make way for a housing development led by the community centre’s previous tenants, Hillfields Family & Community Trust, but the charity folded in 2024.
A consultation was held last year asking for residents’ views on what to do with the site.
Sarah Rogers, chief executive of Hillfields Community Garden, which runs the community centre, said there had been another fire at the clubhouse two days earlier but both had been reported quickly by residents.
She said: “Thanks to the fire brigade and residents who reported the fires so quickly – that’s how we stay safe as a community.
“We’re working with the council to make sure the site is safe, not a public hazard and it doesn’t impact on our charitable work.”