Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Devastated staff at Bristol’s We The Curious are starting to pick up the pieces after a huge fire broke out at the iconic science centre.

Thousands of people across the city looked on in horror on Saturday (April 9) as the blaze, which began at around 2pm, tore through the roof of the building and sent a plume of black smoke billowing into the sky.

The fire began in one of the centre’s solar panels. It took 35 firefighters to finally put it out.

The museum was evacuated as around 35 firefighters battled the fire using a turntable ladder as a water tower, two 45mm jets, two high pressure hose reels, thermal imaging cameras, gas monitors and a drone.

Thankfully, nobody was hurt but among those evacuated were a bride and groom who were set to get married in the venue later that afternoon.

A statement put out by the museum on Twitter read: “We’ve now been able to start assessing the damage to our site, as we have sustained fire and water damage to the roof.

“We now know that we’ll be closed for weeks while we work out our next steps.”

The centre also thanked residents and fans of the centre, who have been sending donations and buying gift vouchers, for their outpouring of support and ‘kind words’ over the last few days.

A bride who was due to tie the knot at the venue that afternoon but was evacuated along with everyone else in the building. Here she is being reunited with her wedding cake by firefighters.

It is understood that events due to take place on the top floor of the museum have had to be cancelled over the next few months.

The fire, which began in on of the science centre’s solar panels, was thought to be accidental.

We The Curious give thanks for outpouring of support after huge fire ripped through roof