Grosvenor Hotel fire: Police already taking calls from public over arson attack investigation

Police are following up a number of leads in relation to the arson attack on the derelict Grosvenor Hotel. Avon and Somerset Police have issued a statement after Avon Fire and Rescue told Bristol World on Friday that the blaze on October 18 was started deliberately.

The site is currently cordoned off due to fears over the safety of the structure, which faces onto the busy Temple Gate used by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. The huge fire last month gutted the building and came following a ‘history of callouts’, said the fire service.

Today, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson told Bristol World that the force had already received calls from the public as part of an appeal to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area at the time of the fire. They said that all information received was being followed up.

They said: “An investigation is being carried out into a fire at the former Grosvenor Hotel premises in Victoria Street, Bristol, which is currently being treated as deliberate.

“We’d appeal to anyone who was in the area of the former hotel on the evening of Tuesday 18 October, to contact us if they saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area, or if they have any information on who was responsible.

“We’ve already taken some calls from members of the public and we’ll be following up all information provided. If you can help, please call us on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222251599.”

Avon Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Temple, Bedminster, Hicks Gate, Kingswood, Patchway, Avonmouth, Bath and Weston-Super-Mare to the fire after being alerted at 9.58pm. Crews stayed dealing with the fire for most of the night - fortunately there were no casualties.

Bristol City Council still intends to purchase the site, which has been decaying for around 20 years, as part of a Temple Square redevelopment. Click here for pictures of the former hotel over the years.