Charity issues defiant message after devastating Bristol fire

A charity which runs a Bristol Harbourside boat yard hit by a fire says it will bounce back from the devastation. The Underfall Yard Trust issued a statement last night after the blaze which started in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service is investigating the fire which started in the yard which features boat building and other businesses, and a popular visitor centre with knowledgeable staff and volunteers.

Dozens of local residents were also evacuated for their safety while a weekend swimming pilot in the harbourside was cancelled.

Last night, The Underfall Yard Trust issued a statment. In it, chairman Ian Wilkinson said: “We are devastated by the fire at the Underfall Yard.

“The fire has destroyed the heart of the yard where most of the boat building activity takes place. Tenants’ businesses and people’s boats have been ruined.

“We are supporting our tenants as best we can. Thankfully no one was killed or injured, but a lot of people in the Underfall Yard community have been impacted: our staff, our tenants, our volunteers and our neighbours on Avon Crescent and Nova Scotia Place. Our hearts are with them.

“We are grateful for everyone’s cooperation, particularly those who were evacuated as the fire service fought the blaze. We are so grateful to the fire service who stopped this being a greater disaster, and for the support of the police and the harbourmaster team.

“The Underfall Yard Trust was formed in the 1990’s to bring the Underfall Yard out of dereliction, look after the historic buildings, to shine a light on Bristol’s engineering harbour heritage and promote traditional marine skills.

“In light of the devastation at the Yard, those aims remain as relevant now as they were then. We are absolutely committed to rebuilding the Underfall Yard and continuing the charity’s work.”